Players and coaches from Warwickshire County Cricket Club recently made a festive visit to a St Basils accommodation centre for young people and families at risk of homelessness, where they brought a bundle of Christmas presents and announced a fundraising sleepout within the grounds of Edgbaston Stadium.
St Basils – which is the Lead Charity Partner of Warwickshire CCC – provides accommodation, support and engagement services for young people at risk of homelessness and each Warwickshire player and coach donated to the charity’s Shoebox Appeal as part of the visit to its Edmonds Court accommodation in Small Heath.
When you see young people, some with young children and babies, you appreciate how important initiatives of this nature are.
Ravi Masih
Ravi Masih, Head of Community Engagement at Warwickshire CCC, said: “As our Lead Charity Partner, club players, coaches, staff and supporters wanted to make a significant contribution to St Basils at Christmas, by donating a shoebox or gift bag packed with gifts and festive treats, which the young people and families housed in the charity’s accommodation will receive on Christmas Day.
“When you see young people, some with young children and babies, you appreciate how important initiatives of this nature are.”
The players also launched the second Edgbaston Sleepout, which will take place on Thursday 26 April as a fundraising drive in aid of St Basils and other charities that help address homelessness in Birmingham and the wider county of Warwickshire.
“More than £15,000 was raised for homeless charities through our first Edgbaston Sleepout earlier this year,” Maish added. “Over 30 people took part and raised funds by spending a night sleeping under the stars in the stadium grounds.
“We’re committed to making the 2018 Edgbaston Sleepout an even bigger event, and we welcome support in helping make this great fundraising drive on 26 April a huge success.”
We’re committed to making the 2018 Edgbaston Sleepout an even bigger event, and we welcome support in helping make this great fundraising drive on 26 April a huge success.
Ravi Masih
Barrie Hodge, Head of Fundraising at St Basils, said: “We are overwhelmed by Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s generosity. The presents they delivered will really help to make Christmas a special event for our young people at Edmonds Court.
“In addition, the announcement that the club will once again be supporting us with their very own Sleepout event on April 26th is fabulous news, thank you to all the team we really do appreciate it. The money raised really does make a difference.”
For further information on taking part in the Edgbaston Sleepout on Thursday 26 April, please email foundation@edgbaston.com or call 0121 446 3643.
