CALLING all cricket enthusiasts! St Margaret’s Hospice is thrilled to announce the return of The Big Somerset Cricket Bash, which is back for its second innings this summer. 

Your exclusive ticket includes a unique Big Somerset Cricket Bash t-shirt, bacon sandwich (or vegetarian option), free pint of cider (or non-alcoholic option) 5 km walking route and entry to the Somerset V Warwickshire Bears County Championship match.  

Walking, talking and paying tribute to lost loved ones; men, women and children of all ages will stride through the greenery of Taunton as one on Sunday, 30 June, raising funds for the specialist end of life care needed by so many local families. Arriving at the renowned Somerset County Cricket Ground, walkers can enjoy a well-earned pint of crisp cider before settling down to witness our local boys in a clash with the Warwickshire Bears in the County Championships - it’s a match not to be missed!  

But it’s not only about clocking up the steps, totting up the cash or having a fun day out with your mates. The Big Somerset Cricket Bash offers a unique camaraderie for those who have lost loved ones or are facing up to a terminal diagnosis in the family. Rambling the scenic Taunton trails together offers the perfect opportunity to meet others in the same boat and to swap stories, while doing something positive and uplifting to support people in the community at the end of their lives. 

Mike Doyle, a patient at the Yeovil Sunflower Centre, will be among the supporters at this year’s bash and said he knows only too well how much of an impact the hospice can have. 

“The Sunflower Centre has had a huge impact on me,” Mike explains. “I first started coming to the centre about a year and a half ago and I was instantly made to feel at home. 

“The centre hasn’t just helped me physically; it’s been a massive support to me mentally as well. The social side of the group I’m with at the Sunflower Centre is excellent, and it really has helped to boost my mood. I thought when I got to the Sunflower Centre everyone would be sitting there complaining about their illness, but it wasn’t like that at all.

“No-one really talked about their illness, everyone just spoke about what was important to them and had a great time.” Tickets are available now on a first come first served basis and cost £35 for adults and £20 for children up to 18 years old. And, groups of 10 or more will enjoy an exclusive discount, making it the perfect day out for friends and families or a corporate day out. So, what are you waiting for? To book your tickets visit the st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/cricketbash.