Here at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, we recognise the importance and hard work of local charities and community fundraising groups, as well as the positive impact that the Club can have to help generate awareness of these great causes.
The Club committed to help support and raise awareness of Acorns Children’s Hospice. Acorns provides specialist palliative care to children with life limiting and life threatening conditions across Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands, as well as support for their families.
In December 2019 members of the first team, squad visited Acorns Children’s Hospice for the Three Counties, based in Worcester, memorably performing Baby Shark alongside the children with first-team bowler Dillon Pennington impressing with the guitar in hand.
Following the whole country entering the first national lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, players were challenged by Head Coach, Alex Gidman, to run 1000km between them in just seven days as part of the ‘Rapids Relay’.
Covering an average of 11.5km an hour 40 Worcestershire male and female players, coaching staff and even Chairman Fanos Hira took part over the brutal seven days. During the challenge other local cricket clubs, members and supporters got involved too, completing their own ‘Rapids Relay’ to help support the cause.
Later on in the year, the Club launched their own branded face-masks through the Club Shop with profits going to the charity, with over 250 face-masks sold out within weeks of being launched.
At the start of December 2020, with the squad unable to make their usual annual visit the Worcester hospice branch in person, 18 players put on Santa suits and ran around Worcester City Centre as part of Acorns’ Santa Star Dash, helping to raise further awareness of their Christmas event and charity.
Over the year the Club has helped to raise £18,482 (including gift aid) and Joe Leach, Worcestershire CCC Captain, was proud to play his part:
“I’m delighted to have been part of a huge effort from the whole Club over the past 12 months to help what is a fantastic cause in Acorns Children’s Hospice.”
“Acorns is a charity very close to us as a group of players, and we were saddened not to be able to visit in person since last December, but we have enjoyed setting ourselves challenges to help in other ways.
“The work Acorns do in the local community is invaluable and hopefully the money raised will go a small way into helping them.
Acorns has been at the forefront in the battle against coronavirus, supporting some of the most vulnerable families in the community as well as the emergency response of the NHS and social care system. The charity relies heavily on donations to fund the majority of its activities.
Mel Hall, Area Fundraiser for Acorns, said: “2020 has been a year like no other, with challenges no one could have foreseen. But despite all of the uncertainty, Worcestershire County Cricket Club pulled out all the stops to support us this year, not only finding creative ways to raise funds and inspire fans to join Team Acorns, but raising awareness of our important work caring for local children and families.
“We’ve definitively missed the players’ annual visit to the hospice and we can’t wait to welcome them back, when circumstances allow, for another brilliant singalong. On behalf of all of us at Acorns, thank you to everyone at Worcestershire County Cricket Club for raising this incredible amount. Every penny raised will go directly to the children and families who rely on our lifeline care and support.”
To donate to Acorns please click here
