Warwickshire County Cricket Club has committed to addressing homelessness in Birmingham and the wider county of Warwickshire by naming St Basils as its Lead Charity Partner for the next two years.
St Basils, which provides accommodation, support and engagement services for young people at risk of homelessness, will work collaboratively with Warwickshire CCC’s charity, the Edgbaston Foundation, on new fundraising initiatives and sporting projects that will give young people more life skills.
As a club, we have always been active in our local community, through cricket coaching and player activity. This partnership is a novel approach and demonstrates a commitment, on our part, in addressing a key issue in the region whilst helping make a real difference to the lives of young people.
Ravi Masih
The first of these projects is the Edgbaston Sleepout, which will see more than 30 people sleep rough in the grounds of Edgbaston Stadium on Thursday 27 April to help raise funds and awareness of the work that St Basils and other charities supporting the homeless. Warwickshire CCC Sport Director Ashley Giles, Birmingham City Council Chief
Operating Officer Angela Probert and Bishop of Birmingham David Urqhart have all signed up as sleepers for the event.
Ravi Masih, Head of Community Engagement at Warwickshire CCC, said: “As a club, we have always been active in our local community, through cricket coaching and player activity. This partnership is a novel approach and demonstrates a commitment, on our part, in addressing a key issue in the region whilst helping make a real difference to the lives of young people.
“Working in partnership with St Basils, we will be supporting some very innovative projects. St Basils is a very dynamic charity and we look forward to working with them as our Lead Partner.”
Jean Templeton, chief executive of St Basils said, “We are delighted to be announced as the official charity partner for Warwickshire CC and to work collaboratively with the official charity the Edgbaston Foundation.
“Working together, we believe we can increase profile, understanding and action to address youth homelessness. We are particularly excited about the long-term commitment to our ground-breaking young workers’ cooperative in
Edgbaston which will help us shape a positive future for young people and leave a lasting legacy in the area. We very much look forward to working with the team at Edgbaston and thank them for their support.”
There’s still chance to support the Edgbaston Sleepout, either by taking part or by sponsoring the sleepers.
For more information and to take part in the Edgbaston Sleepout, please email foundation@edgbaston.com.
To support Ashley’s fundraising campaign for the Edgbaston Sleepout, please click here: www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/ashleygiles.
