Sam, from Wylam, suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, but that does not let that stop him from following Durham and England with a real passion. Children’s charity, Smile For Life, has been directly involved with the club this season, in helping raise funds to take Sam on a trip of a lifetime to Australia this winter, to watch the 2010 Ashes.
Paula Gascoigne, Chief Executive of Smile For Life, said “ The charity is dedicated to enriching and enhancing the lives of disabled or disadvantaged children. From our beginnings in 2007, we have consistently helped put smiles on many children’s faces and ensure we make a real difference to our beneficiaries lives. It is wonderful to have the support of Durham CCC, and working together to raise funds for Sam’s trip has been a delight.”
From volunteers doing bucket collections at matches to the charity receiving £4.00 from every ticket they sell through the club’s Charity CashBack Scheme, almost £1,500 has already been raised to date.
During the interval at the recent FP t20 match against Notts Outlaws, Sam was presented with a signed Durham Dynamos shirt by Dynamos player Gordon Muchall, in front of a 6000 capacity crowd, much to his delight.
With continued joint effort between Durham CCC and Smile For Life, Sam will be jetting off later in the year, in the hope of seeing England give the Aussies a run for their money in the Ashes. For further information on how you can help donate towards Sam’s trip, please contact Smile For Life on 0191 284 4166 or visit www.smileforlife.org.uk