Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s Lead Partner for T20 cricket, Marston’s, has donated branding rights on the new Birmingham Bears children replica shirts to charity.
Having recently agreed for its 61 Deep ale to adorn the Bears’ new sustainable playing shirts for the next two years, all children’s replica shirts will feature the brand of SpecialEffect, a charity which creates opportunities for physically disabled people to play video games.
Kirsty Polmeer, Marketing Manager at Marston’s, said: “It is really exciting to be able to introduce the Bears, as our longstanding partner, to such an amazing charity.
“We believe that by gifting the branding space on the new Bears junior shirt that we can raise awareness of SpecialEffect and hopefully encourage more people to learn about it and support the cutting edge work that it delivers.”
Kirsty Polmeer, Marston’s
By using technology ranging from modified joypads to eye-control, SpecialEffect provides equipment that enables people with physical disabilities to play video games at home with friends, family and online.
Nick Streeter from SpecialEffect said: “SpecialEffect are incredibly grateful to Marston’s and Warwickshire CCC for this amazing opportunity to raise awareness of our work levelling the playing field for people with disabilities. Using cutting edge technology, accessible technology has never been as important and we deeply appreciate the chance to shine the light on our work with this generous donation. “
The new playing and replica shirts, which the Bears will wear in the 2020 and 2021 Vitality Blast campaigns, have been designed by PlayerLayer and are the first of its kind in cricket to be made from a 50 per cent bamboo and charcoal material mixed with polyester, to support the Club’s wider goal of becoming the most sustainable cricket venue in the country.
The new Bears shirt will be launched this week and adult and junior replica shirts will be available to order online.
Ben Seifas, Commercial Partnerships Manager at Warwickshire CCC, said: “It’s great that our new sustainable Bears shirt can do further good work in the community by increasing the awareness of the great work that SpecialEffect do.
“It’s a fantastic gesture by Marston’s to support the charity by donating the branding rights on our children’s replica shirts, which will go on-sale in the coming days online via our Store ‘94 website.
“There has been great excitement around our new white ball playing shirts since we announced the new bamboo-charcoal material, which PlayerLayer has devised to support our sustainability goals, and we’re looking forward to unveiling the designs.”
