CLIC Sargent named county charity partner
27 January 2020
Gloucestershire Cricket is excited to announce that CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading charity for children and young people with cancer, will be one of three official charity partners for 2020, the Club’s 150th anniversary.
This is the first season Gloucestershire Cricket has had official charity partners, with CLIC Sargent being the Club’s county based partner. The partnership will create opportunities to support the important work of the charity in Bristol, Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Gloucestershire Cricket will be working throughout the year to support CLIC Sargent in raising awareness about their vital work providing emotional, financial and practical support to children and young people living with cancer.
The charity will be involved in the Cheltenham Cricket Festival beginning on the 29th June, the England vs Australia Men’s One Day International and the Club’s Community Day on Sunday 26th July, both at Bristol County Ground.
To round off the year, CLIC Sargent will be partnering with the Club for a Fireworks Night at Bristol County Ground. The family-friendly occasion will be a celebration to help bring the curtain down on the Club’s 150th year.
The charity supports young people aged 25 and under during cancer treatment – providing social worker support, grants to help with the financial impact of cancer, and ‘Homes from Home’ close to hospitals for families to stay in.
There are two ‘Homes from Home’ in Bristol for families from across the south west to stay in to help with the emotional and financial strain of travelling for treatment. In the last year, more than 400 families have stayed at CLIC House and Sam’s House in Bristol, saving each family an average of £3700.
Luke Mallett, Associate Director of Supporter Engagement at CLIC Sargent, said:
“We are so excited to partner with Gloucestershire Cricket and are so grateful for the vital support the Club will be providing CLIC Sargent in 2020.
“The efforts of the Club mean the charity will be able to continue to provide specialist support to local families facing cancer. We want to thank Will Brown of Gloucestershire Cricket and everyone at the Club for their incredible support.
“We’re looking forward to getting involved in some fantastic events at the Club and in the community this year to raise vital funds for charity whilst celebrating 150 years of Gloucestershire Cricket.”
Will Brown, Gloucestershire Cricket CEO said:
“This is the first time the Club has had an official county based charity partner and we are excited to be helping CLIC Sargent with the great work they do. We had over 50 incredible organisations apply, but we were hugely moved and impressed by the work of CLIC Sargent, and their strong desire to form a close partnership with the Club.
It was fantastic to welcome a small group from CLIC Sargent to the ground today and give them an insight into what happens at Gloucestershire Cricket. We are excited by what can be achieved together and am sure our supporters will get behind this superb charity.”
Staff, volunteers, service users and their families visited the Bristol County Ground today, meeting with Gloucestershire players and finding out what the players get up to during pre-season.
Tim Sadler, a parent who was supported by the charity when his son was diagnosed with cancer, said:
“We had a fantastic time visiting Bristol County Ground and were made to feel incredibly welcome. It was great to get a behind the scenes look at the players training and we feel very lucky that CLIC Sargent have been selected as a partner and we look forward to continuing the good work of the charity with Gloucestershire Cricket.”
Also as part of the agreement, the Club will provide facilities at the Bristol County Ground for CLIC Sargent to use, as well as supporting World Cancer Day on the 4th February. ‘Mind the Chaps’ a support group where Dads can meet others going through similar experiences, will also be coming to watch Gloucestershire play during the season.
About cancer in children and young people
Today, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK.
About CLIC Sargent
When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health. CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading charity for young cancer patients and their families. We provide specialist support, to help and guide each young cancer patient and their family. We will fight tirelessly for them, individually, locally and nationally. For more information, visit CLIC Sargent
