Proceeds from ticket bookings placed directly with the hospice, along with all charitable collections taken at the match, including proceeds from an auction for the highly popular John Lewis Best Seat in the House, will be donated to the specialist care facility as part of its ongoing fundraising drive to help meet annual running cost of £8.5 million.
The Best Seat charity auction will see the highest bidder taking their padded position right on the boundary rope, with wine, chocolates, and a food platter also provided by John Lewis A host of other free family fun activities will also be in store for fans as part of what is set to be a highly entertaining fundraising event for the charity.
Situated in Gosforth, St Oswald’s provides flexible specialist care services for children, young people and adults from across the North East.
Phil Mustard, of Durham CCC who will be lining up against the Outlaws, recently visited the purpose built facility to meet staff and patients, and learn firsthand about the work the hospice does.
St Oswald’s adult service includes a day hospice, lymphoedema service, an inpatient unit, complementary therapy service, consultant outpatient clinic and an outreach service.
As part of the children’s service, children with life limiting conditions and their families are provided with specialist short breaks. Children from naught to 18 can benefit from St Oswald’s care and within the last few months, the facility has also begun a pilot service for those aged 18 to 25, to enable continued support for young people who are approaching adulthood.
Phil Mustard said: “The work that St Oswald’s does is amazing. Having spoken to patients, family and staff here, it’s difficult to put into words just how important the centre is for the thousands of people across the region that receive their outstanding care and support.
“St Oswald’s Hospice has to raise a staggering amount of money every year and Durham County Cricket Club is honoured to be able to go a little way towards helping them achieve their fundraising goal, having made our t20 fixture against Notts Outlaws next Tuesday a fundraising night. I hope that as many people as possible will buy their tickets through the hospice and give whatever they can to the people taking collections on the night.”
Jennie Evans, a St Oswald’s Hospice fundraiser who recently met with Phil Mustard, said: St Oswald’s multi-disciplinary team includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, chaplaincy support and complementary therapists.
“As St Oswald’s makes no charge for its services, ensuring hospice care is available to everyone who needs it, the majority of our £8.5 million annual running costs need to be met through people’s generosity and our extensive programme of fundraising events.
“It is fantastic that Durham County Cricket Club have given us their forthcoming t20 fixture to use as a fundraising platform and we’d like to thank them for this and for making their Best Seat in the House match day prize available to us for auction. The fundraising team is looking forward to a great match and to raising much needed funds through our ticket sales and collections.”
If people buy their Friends Life t20 tickets directly from St Oswald’s Hospice, then £4 of every adult ticket and £2 of every child tickets will go to the charity. To do so call Jennie Evans on 0191 2469123, or email: JennieEvans@stoswaldsuk.org.