Win Phil Salt's match-worn, signed playing shirt!

Sharks fans at tonight’s Vitality Blast match against Gloucestershire will have the chance to win a signed, limited-edition playing shirt that was worn by Phil Salt when the two sides met earlier in the tournament on ‘rainbow day’.

Rainbow day was held to raise awareness for Grief Encounter, the charity charity which provides support for bereaved children and their families, including Gloucestershire and former Sussex left-arm spinner Tom Smith and his two daughters.

Proceeds from tonight’s raffle will also go to Grief Encounter, as Chris Coleman, Sussex Cricket’s head of community cricket explains: “We have been fantastically supported by our fans through the T20 ground raffles this year in support of the Sussex Cricket Foundation, but for our final game we will be raising money for Grief Encounter.

“I’m delighted to be supporting an ex-Shark and someone who has given so much to Sussex over the years. The Sussex Cricket Foundation is about changing lives through cricket and this is what we are helping to do here. Please do get involved on the night and best of luck”

As well as Phil Salt’s signed rainbow shirt, four other prizes are also available thanks to the generosity of local businesses:

• Afternoon tea for two at The Old Ship, Brighton
• Dinner for two at The Grand Hotel, Brighton
• Afternoon tea for two at Hotel du Vin, Brighton
• A flight for two on the British Airways i360

Tickets for Friday’s raffle are priced at £3 will be on sale from Sussex Cricket Foundation volunteers who will be situated around The 1st Central County Ground.

Winning numbers will be announced via the @SussexCricketFd twitter account.

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.”