A dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of Leicestershire's 1972 Benson and Hedges Cup triumph will launch a series of special benefit events planned by the club throughout 2012.

The dinner is to be held at Leicester Tigers' Welford Road ground on April 12 and will be staged in association with the Lord's Taverners.

Already half the side which triumphed by five wickets against Yorkshire at Lord's 40 years ago have agreed to attend. They include Ray Illingworth, who captained the side, Barry Dudleston, John Steele, Terry Spencer and current County chairman Paul Haywood.

Former Leicestershire player David Constant, who stood as one of the umpires in that game, has also confirmed his attendance along with ex-County all-rounder and coach Jack Birkenshaw.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew, legendary umpire Dickie Bird, former Foxes' hero Paul Nixon and double championship-winning skipper James Whitaker are among others attending an event at which England national selector Geoff Miller will be the guest speaker.

An added attraction is the prospect of a question-and-answer session featuring three trophy winning Leicestershire captains – Illingworth, Whitaker and current leader Matthew Hoggard.

"It would be brilliant to get everybody together. It could prove quite a special dinner with the people who are coming," said Haywood.

"I've spoken to Benson and Hedges and they think that they have the Cup. If that is the case, we can put it on display on the night. But, if any of our members or supporters has any footage of the final, I'd ask them to get in touch with the club."

Haywood will be heavily involved four days later in a second fund-raiser, a parachute jump at Langar. Coach Russell Cobb and physio Rob Leather are also taking part with the possibility of some of the County playing staff featuring, too.

Haywood says the tandem jump – everybody jumping with a qualified instructor – is also open to any Foxes' members who want to add their support to the club cause.

"I did a parachute jump at Langar 30 years ago," said Haywood. "It was a fantastic experience. I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't had a second thought about it."

Other benefit events being planned include a Twenty20 match against an invitation side of Leicestershire stars from the recent past, a golf day, a promises auction and a fashion show.

Work is on-going to finalise those events.

"We will be working with different local charities for different events and will be talking to them about that," added Haywood.

"We want to make it a good anniversary year and want to increase the club's finances. At the same time, we want to take the club out into the community and the local game."

Chief executive Mike Siddall added that any amount of money raised would be a lift to the County. Leicestershire are expected to announce a healthy profit at the end of this month but the financial climate across the country is still a demanding one.

"If we can raise £40,000-50,000 from the benefit, it would be a help," he said. "It is still going to be a difficult year financially for us.

"We might have made money last year but the budget this year is a break-even budget. It will still be tough in the financial climate we are in."