Warwickshire and Birmingham Bears cricketers Tim Ambrose and Sam Hain recently pledged further support to the Edgbaston Foundation’s campaign to help address homelessness in the region by volunteering for the Winter Night Shelter Programme.
The Edgbaston Foundation, which is staging its second Edgbaston Sleepout as a fundraising drive on 26 April, brought Ambrose and Hain together with other volunteers at Riverside Church in Moseley to make beds and prepare food for homeless people who can stay within the church during the winter months.
Both players showed a real interest in the work that we do and the lives of people who we support. By talking to guests and playing board games, they made each feel welcome and lifted the spirits of everyone who they met on the night.
Jen Wallace, Birmingham Churches Winter Nights
Jen Wallace, Birmingham Churches Winter Night Shelter Coordinator, said: “Tim and Sam were a great support to our team of volunteers. They helped prepare and serve food, and wash up, but they also spent a lot of time engaging with the people that we accommodate each night, in Riverside Church.
“Both players showed a real interest in the work that we do and the lives of people who we support. By talking to guests and playing board games, they made each feel welcome and lifted the spirits of everyone who they met on the night.
“We thank them for their support and wish them the very best for the upcoming cricket season.”
More than 30 people raised over £15,000 by giving up an evening to sleep rough within the unique surroundings of the stadium in 2017. We have ambitions to surpass that amount this year and ensure that the Edgbaston Foundation can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable young people across the region.
Ravi Masih
Ravi Masih, Head of Community Engagement at Warwickshire CCC, said: “The Winter Nights programme is one of the beneficiaries from the Edgbaston Sleepout and it was great for Tim and Sam to come and lend a hand and learn first-hand how the funds that we raise will be of benefit. The other beneficiary will be St. Basils and for more than one year, the Edgbaston Foundation has been working with the charity as part of our campaign to educate and provide facilities that prevent people sleeping rough across Birmingham and Warwickshire.
“More than 30 people raised over £15,000 by giving up an evening to sleep rough within the unique surroundings of the stadium in 2017. We have ambitions to surpass that amount this year and ensure that the Edgbaston Foundation can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable young people across the region.”
The Edgbaston Sleepout takes place on 26 April and the Foundation is now seeking business and community leaders and executives to take part in this year event.
Here they will join Warwickshire CCC Sport Director and former England cricketer Ashley Giles, who has already signed up for the scheme.
