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Gloucestershire & Western Storm join forces to support Grief Encounter during T20 double-header

15 May 2024

Gloucestershire Cricket and Western Storm are joining forces to raise vital funds for bereavement charity Grief Encounter during the T20 double-header on Sunday 9th June.

The Purple Family Day at the Seat Unique Stadium will focus around fundraising for Grief Encounter, an incredible charity that provided vital support to Gloucestershire spinner Tom Smith and his two daughters following the tragic death of Tom’s wife, Laura, in 2018.

The matchday, which will see Western Storm face Southern Vipers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup from 10:30am and Gloucestershire take on Sussex Sharks in the Vitality Blast at 2:30pm, will be a celebration of the colour purple which is synonymous with Grief Encounter.

Both Gloucestershire and Western Storm matchday squads will wear limited edition purple playing shirts for their respective fixtures, replicas of which will be available to purchase in the Club shop on matchday. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go straight to Grief Encounter. Gloucestershire and Western Storm supporters are also encouraged to wear purple on matchday as a way of showing unified support for Grief Encounter.

There will be several donation stations in the ground on the day should supporters wish to support the work of Grief Encounter, as well as opportunities to learn more about the charity and the incredible work they carry out with bereaved families up and down the country.

As well as two box-office T20 matches to enjoy, there will also be a range of games and activities on offer for families to take part in such as face painting, ball games, a reaction wall and bowling cage, as well as free coaching on the outfield and a signing session with players at the close of play of Gloucestershire vs Sussex Sharks.

The Purple Family Day will be the second dedicated matchday in aid of Grief Encounter. In 2019, more than £10,000 was raised for the charity during ‘Rainbow Day’ in collaboration with Sussex Sharks.

Tickets for Purple Family Day which include entry to both T20 matches on Sunday 9th June are available to buy here

Speaking about the importance of supporting Grief Encounter, Tom Smith said: “I feel immensely proud that Gloucestershire and Western storm are combining on such an exciting occasion raising valuable money for such a special charity to me and my family.

“Grief encounter has been such a huge part of mine and my family’s journey post my wife Laura dying in 2018. They have supported my daughters through the toughest of times with play therapy and coping techniques to deal with the ongoing challenges of our families journey.

“Special thanks must go to Gloucestershire Head of Community, Pete Lamb, for helping arrange the day and of course Gloucestershire and Western storm for agreeing to wear purple shirts. It’s great to see everyone get into the spirit of what is going to be an extremely fun day at the cricket.

“Please support the day and donate to a very special charity. I look forward to seeing everyone there.”

Western Storm captain, Sophie Luff, added: “Tom has worked really closely with some of our players and we really feel like he’s part of our Storm family, so the whole team is thrilled to be fully onboard with supporting Tom and his family and raising awareness of Grief Encounter.

“Any time we can support a charity is great but when that charity is as close to home as what Grief Encounter is with the work they’ve done with Smudge it mean a whole lot more.

It’ll be nice to wear purple for a change and I’m delighted that Western Storm are able to be a part of what promises to be an incredible day.”

Chelsea Harding, Senior Fundraising Manager at Grief Encounter, said: "We are so grateful to Tom and all at Gloucestershire Cricket for choosing to support us once again with the Purple Family Day. We can’t wait to be back at the stadium seeing everyone ‘go purple’ and enjoy a great day of cricket.

"Events like this are so special and really help make all the difference, the funds raised will enable us to provide our vital services to thousands of the most vulnerable children and young people who need it most. I look forward to what I know will be an amazing day, huge thanks to everyone who is making this possible."

Be part of this special day on Sunday 9th June and buy tickets Buy Tickets

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