Worcestershire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust as our Official Charity Partner for 2022.
The Club will support Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust’s mission to raise awareness of childhood cancer, educate on early signs and symptoms, provide grants for research into the causes and treatments, and support families.
The partnership with the five-year-old charity will include a range of initiatives to help raise awareness and funds. Their ladybird inspired branding will feature prominently at New Road and have a large presence across our official digital channels throughout 2022.
The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust was founded in memory of four-year-old Grace Kelly, who passed away in 2014. The vision of the Trust was born from the inspiration that Grace imparted on the people she met. Grace was a compassionate and caring little girl who looked after others before herself.
The announcement comes as the Trust, a Worcestershire-based charity with geographical reach across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, West Midlands, moves into new offices, marking an exciting new future.
Their new base now includes a Family Support Hub, which will enable engagement with multiple families in a neutral setting.
The Trust aims to make a difference to other children whilst fulfilling Grace’s wish of helping others but receives no statutory funding, so wholly rely on supporters, local businesses and grants for funding. To continue to offer their vital services, they need to raise in the region of £300,000 each year.
Over 40 charities from across the UK applied to become the Club’s Official Charity Partner for 2022.
The Club’s Charity Committee, which comprises nine members, representing all areas of the Club including the senior executive, cricket, administration, the Worcestershire Cricket Board and also representatives from Main Partner Morgan Motor Company, met to discuss the merits of all applications and then underwent a vote by secret ballot to determine the chosen partner for 2022.
David Hoskins, Head of Commercial & Operations for Worcestershire County Cricket Club, said: “We had a large amount of applications to become our Official Charity Partner for 2022, all of which were from great causes.
“It’s a huge honour to be teaming up with such an inspiring Worcestershire charity in Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust.
“We have so many exciting things in store to help the Trust raise awareness and much-needed funds through the reach of our brand across Worcestershire, the Black Country and beyond.
“We believe we can make a significant contribution to the charity during the year, in what is an exciting period of growth for them.
“I know the whole team here at Worcestershire are excited at the opportunity, and looking forward to working together to make the most out of this partnership.”
Dr Jen Kelly, CEO of the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, added, “We are immensely grateful to Worcestershire County Cricket Club for giving the charity this wonderful opportunity.
“The charity’s work is inspired by Grace’s wish to help others and has now become the legacy of so many other children as well.
“We are proud that we have recently moved into new offices which contain a family support hub, meaning our growing family support team can work more closely with local families and offer therapeutic support groups, as well as individual and family support.
“Alongside this, we continue to fund vital research, write medical publications and raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer.
“The charity receives no statutory funding, so the support being offered by Worcestershire County Cricket Club will make a vital difference to our families.”
Emma Williams, Operations and Fundraising Manager added, “The team at the GKCCT are absolutely delighted to be chosen as charity of the year by such a prestigious organisation. We can’t wait to get going with the team on all the exciting projects that are planned.
“This partnership means a considerable amount to the team here at the Trust, and It’s a fantastic opportunity to raise the vital funds we need to continue our services and an incredible opportunity to grow our profile across Worcestershire and beyond.
“The past few years have been a difficult time for us all, but we have faced the many challenges head-on and have diversified our fundraising and services to adapt to the pandemic and the needs of our oncology families.
“We are excited about the charity’s future, and we are incredibly proud and honoured to be supported this year by the county’s iconic cricket club.”
Click here for more information & to donate to the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
