30 July 2020
Hampshire Cricket unveils 2020 NHS playing kits
All profits from sales of Hampshire’s replica shirts in 2020 to be donated to Southampton Hospitals Charity to help fund new rehabilitation zone within general intensive care unit (GICU) at University Hospital Southampton.
This morning saw Hampshire Cricket formally launch their partnership with Southampton Hospitals Charity at University Hospital Southampton, while unveiling their playing kits for the 2020 season.
The partnership, which runs until the end of 2021, will see Hampshire Cricket fundraise on behalf of Southampton Hospitals Charity to help support the creation of a new rehabilitation zone within the general intensive care unit (GICU) at University Hospital Southampton, the requirement for which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hampshire stars Sam Northeast, Mason Crane and Keith Barker, along with Hampshire Cricket Chief Executive David Mann, were in attendance at this morning’s launch event where they officially unveiled 2020’s playing kits, met NHS staff from University Hospital Southampton’s GICU and were given a guided tour of the new rehabilitation zone’s construction.
All of Hampshire’s 2020 playing kits, including those to be worn in this summer’s Bob Willis Trophy and Vitality Blast, will carry the NHS logo with all profits from sales of replica shirts in 2020 donated to Southampton Hospitals Charity.
Hampshire Cricket’s fundraising efforts began earlier in July upon of the launch of a charity auction, which closed last night having seen over £31,000 of bids placed, with proceeds from the auction supporting both the new rehabilitation zone at University Hospital Southampton as well as the life-saving work of the Hampshire Cricket Foundation.
David Mann, Hampshire Cricket Chief Executive, said:
The NHS have been on the front line throughout this pandemic and we owe them a great debt of gratitude. We wanted to show our support for their efforts and helping to raise funds for the redevelopment of the GICU gives us the opportunity to do so; we are very grateful for everyone who has helped us in our efforts so far. We have a number of further initiatives planned over the course of the summer, we’ve raised a lot of money so far but we’d love to be able to do much more for the hospital and its incredible staff.”
In addition to the auction, over £10,000 has been raised courtesy of the generosity of would-be attendees to the Ageas Bowl’s two scheduled England matches this summer – an ODI against Australia and an IT20 against Pakistan – the postponement of which meant ticketbuyers could request a refund, a ticket exchange or donate the value of their tickets to support the work of Southampton Hospitals Charity.
Mason Crane – who donated an exclusive one-to-one spin bowling masterclass to the charity auction – said: ‘’It was a privilege to meet the NHS staff from University Hospital Southampton’s GICU today, they work tirelessly to support the most critically ill patients and I know I speak on behalf of all the players when I say we’re proud to sport the NHS logo this summer and play our part in the Club’s fundraising efforts.’’
Jeneen Thomsen, Joint Interim Director at Southampton Hospitals Charity, said:
We are delighted to partner with Hampshire Cricket to make our new GICU the very best it can be. Every year, the unit sees around 2,500 seriously ill patients in need of critical life-saving care, and over the last few months the unit has seen an additional pressure due to coronavirus. The renovation of the department will ensure that patients will be treated in an environment which matches the exemplary medical care provided, and this will only be possible through support from our community and corporate partners.”
Following the fundraising success of the charity auction, brand new lots – courtesy of Hampshire Cricket’s generous donors – will be added from 9am on Saturday 1st August and these will be available to browse from that point at www.ageasbowl.com/auction.
Hampshire’s 2020 playing shirts are available now at www.ageasbowlshop.co.uk with all profits donated to Southampton Hospitals Charity.
Last updated: 30/07/2020
