21 Sep 2023 Community

The Bell family fundraiser Woodbottom festival of cricket raises £26k for The Kirkwood

We are incredibly proud as a charity to hear when families have continued to raise awareness and funds for us over several years. One such family that will forever be part of our movement is the Bell family. 

Back in 2008 The Kirkwood cared for Jonny and Tom Bell's father David. David was being treated for throat cancer and spent some time on our In-Patient Unit at Dalton. Despite going home over Christmas, David returned to the In-Patient Unit in 2009 where he stayed until his death in March of that year. 

Since 2011 the Bell family have hosted a cricket tournament in honor of David's memory and over the last 12 years have raised an incredible £26,000. 

On remembering the care we gave Tom's dad, Tom commented: "In 2008 my father was treated for throat cancer, after hospital treatment, he came to The Kirkwood in the Autumn of 2008, and stayed for treatment and care, until just before Christmas. 

"Unfortunately he had to return just after Christmas, and was with you until his passing, at the end of March 2009. The care and attention he was given during his stay in The Kirkwood's In-Patient Unit was faultless, and the staff could never do enough for both my father and his family and friends." 

Tom, his family and friends wanted to give something back to The Kirkwood and wanted to use David's love of cricket to do that. Tom explained how the idea of the annual fundraising cricket tournament was born. 

"My father loved nothing more than seeing his family and friends enjoying themselves, and added to that playing or watching sport. So to have a local cricket club in the Woodbottom valley so close by which he adored was perfect." He said. 

Adding: "My dad would wander down to the club from home, and catch up with friends and family. It was ideal for him. 

"My brother started thinking about a legacy that we as family and friends could create in my father’s memory, and The Woodbottom Festival of Cricket was hatched. 

"The idea was that a group of friends would play a social cricket tournament, in a relaxed atmosphere, for fun and friendship.

"The first event took place in August 2011, playing for The David Bell Memorial Trophy, and to raise money for The Kirkwood. The funds raised were through a combination of things on the day such as raffles, stalls, tombola and a BBQ. 

"Since the Festival of cricket started in 2011, it has become an annual event and we have raised over £26k for The Kirkwood, with the day supported annually by many people, and families who came to the first ever event. With the event supported and hosted by Hopton Mills Cricket Club." 

When asked why Tom and his family and friends still want to fundraise for The Kirkwood he said: "We continue to fundraise because we want other people to have the same care and attention that The Kirkwood offered to my father, and we want to continue to contribute in a way that we feel we can make a slight difference. 

"My brother, myself and other family members are incredibly proud of the funds we raise, and enjoy the contribution we can make to the charity. 

"The Kirkwood is enormously important to the Kirklees community, as it shows that there is a local place to offer support, when people need it most."