The 20-over challenge match between Hartlepool Cricket Club’s Over 40s football team and Hartlepool Cricket Club’s Over 40s cricket side took place at Park Drive on August Bank Holiday Monday. It raised a total of £5,767 for the hospice.
Teams competed for the Danny Shurmer/James Parkinson Memorial Trophy which was donated by Azalea Wealth Management – a financial services company in the town run by Harrison Smith.
Danny Shurmer, a former first team cricketer at Park Drive and an outstanding goalkeeper, passed away, aged just 43, following a cardiac arrest in 2021.
James Parkinson, a talented footballer and firefighter, died suddenly last September aged just 47, just days after scoring the winning runs in last year’s charity cricket match.
Money was raised via business sponsorship, a raffle, football cards, a bucket collection, catering and an auction of sporting memorabilia.
Nic Smith, of the Hartlepool CC Over 40s football team, said: “I’d like to thank Hartlepool Cricket Club and everyone else for the fantastic support in helping to raise money for our local hospice. It was a brilliant day and fantastic that the annual event is remembering three incredibly popular local people – Danny Shurmer, James Parkinson and John Rae – who were also well-known in the town for their sporting connections.”
Alastair Rae, Manager of the Hartlepool CC Over 40s cricket team, added: “It’s great that the charity match is now a permanent fixture in the Park Drive cricketing calendar and we’ll be looking to develop the event as we move forward.”
It costs £3.7m a year to run Alice House Hospice but only a third of the funding is provided by the Government. This means that on average, £6,700 must be raised every single day to meet the shortfall.
Greg Hildreth, of Alice House Hospice, said: “Alice House relies heavily on the community and fundraising events like this make a real difference to the lives of our patients and their loved ones. Our thanks and congratulations go to all those involved who organised and supported the event. All of the money raised will be put to use straightaway to fund our services and help sustain vital hospice care in our area.”
Pam Shurmer, Danny’s mum, and James Parkinson’s daughter, Violet, presented the winning trophy to the Over 40s cricket captain Paul Jackson.
There was also a Player of the Match award for the John Rae Memorial Trophy which was won by Rob Mathieson – a former first team cricketer at Park Drive – who had travelled all the way from his home in Ireland to play in the event.
The main sponsor of the event was Mega Clearance Outlet, located off Brenda Road, but it was also supported by numerous businesses and organisations, including Hartlepool Life.
There are still some unclaimed raffle prizes as follows. Blue (816-820) Donna Dove, Pink (436-440) Linda Jenkins, Yellow (666-670) No name, Yellow (626-630) No name. Prizes can be collected at Park Drive.
