English cricket joined together to celebrate the life of Graham Thorpe at the Kia Oval during the riveting Rothesay Test Match between England and India last week. A Day for Thorpey has raised more than £165,000 with over 27,000 headbands sold online and in the ground.
A Day for Thorpey, observed and celebrated on the second day of the match, was organised in support of mental health charity Mind, on what would have been Graham’s 56th birthday. Graham took his own life on the 4th August last year, aged 55, after struggling with anxiety and depression for several years.
Thorpe, a legend of both England and Surrey cricket, famously batted wearing a headband throughout his career and around the ground on Friday fans showed their support by sporting that iconic look.
The England team took to the field for their warm-up wearing the special monogrammed headbands and Graham’s wife Amanda and daughter Emma rang the 5-minute bell before England posed for a team photo.
Several of the England team including Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell wore their headbands during the first session in the field. India’s Mohammed Siraj also sported one of the headbands during his fiery spell that brought India back into the match. As the players returned for the tea interval, the capacity crowd took to their feet for a moment’s applause to celebrate Thorpe – an emotional moment for everyone in the ground.
On the fourth day of the match, Root, whose batting mentor had been Thorpe, celebrated his 39th Test century by donning the headband while celebrating the milestone, just like Thorpe used to do when he reached three figures.
A JustGiving page and text to donate number* has also been taking donations to A Day for Thorpey. To donate £5, £10 or £20 to Mind, text THORPEY5, THORPEY10 OR THORPEY20 to 70255. Over 1,500 people have donated more than £14,000 through texts, and above £25,000 has been raised via the JustGiving page.
Money raised from headband sales and donations for A Day for Thorpey will support the roll out of “Thorpey’s Bat and Chat”, a project across England and Wales, in partnership with county cricket foundations and the charity’s network of local Minds. Originally developed by Burton and District Mind, Bat and Chat is a 12-week programme combining cricket sessions with guided psychoeducation to support mental health and wellbeing.
Speaking to Sky Cricket, Amanda Thorpe said “It will help people who are suffering open up.
“People speak through their problems and the stigma is removed. People can think anxiety and depression is something to be ashamed of but it’s not. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It is okay not to be okay.”
Hayley Jarvis, Head of Physical Activity at Mind, said:
“It’s been so clear to see throughout the day just how much Graham was loved and looked up to, and how much his story continues to touch people.
“Our heartfelt thanks to the Thorpe family for choosing Mind, to Surrey CCC and the ECB for putting the day on, and of course to everyone who has bought a headband or donated to Mind. Thanks to you all, we’ve smashed our original fundraising target, raising well over £100,000 and counting. This will mean we can roll out Thorpey’s Bat and Chat up and down the country, a special legacy for a wonderful man.”
Thorpe’s children Henry and Amelia were in attendance on the day, Henry said “To see the game come together to celebrate Dad, his success, how he made people feel and how his grit, will and determination inspired all, that fills me with pride. I hope the day has been about both remembering him but also making a difference for the future. Thank you for supporting him, those closest to him and Mind.”
Amelia added “I have and will always carry an immense pride- knowing that my father was such an incredible force on the pitch, and off of it too. Today is important for so many people, to honour all of him- his successes, his struggles, and his heart. I feel comfort in knowing he is at peace now, and will always be with me in my soul.”
