Friday night's ground raffle raises nearly £2000 for Grief Encounter

The ground raffle held at Friday night's Vitality Blast match against Gloucestershire raised £1,803 for Grief Encounter, the charity which provides support for bereaved children and their families, including Gloucestershire and former Sussex left-arm spinner Tom Smith and his two daughters.

Over six hundred tickets for the raffle were sold on the night. The top prize was a limited-edition 'rainbow' shirt signed by Phil Salt that he wore during the Sharks match against Gloucestershire at Bristol earlier in the campaign.

Gloucestershire and former Sussex player, Tom Smith has recorded a thank you message for all those that supported Grief Encounter by entering the raffle. 

Sussex Cricket would like also to thank the local businesses that provided prizes for the raffle: The Old Ship, Brighton; The Grand Hotel, Brighton; Hotel du Vin, Brighton, British Airways i360.

Tom’s Story

“On August 23rd 2018, our lives were changed forever when my beautiful wife Laura lost her courageous battle with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (a rare chronic liver disease) and bile-duct cancer, after 18 months of fighting.

“It was the darkest of days and my eldest daughter (aged 4) was not only struggling with her mother’s death but also starting school and settling into new routines.

“I was recommended Rainbow @ Grief Encounter and they’ve supported us for the past nine months. They’ve given my daughter regular play therapy, which has made a huge difference, and I’ve had the opportunity to meet other widows and share stories, helping us to feel less isolated.

“I wanted to channel my emotions into doing something positive so that as many families as possible can benefit from the charity’s support and the club have been amazing in helping to organise this event.

“Laura brightened so many people’s lives and the colourfulness of the day really represents that. This fixture is also extra-special because it’s against Sussex, where I started my career and where Laura and I both grew up.

“What my family has been through has been terrible, but if we can raise funds and awareness for others affected by grief in the future, then that would be something that Laura would be so proud of.”