Hampshire cricketers helping to raise money for new intensive care unit in the county

It is all part of the vital work to help the wider community during the pandemic.

The club have given South Central Ambulance Service free use of offices at The Ageas Bowl, set up a members call-round during the lockdown and established a partnership with Southampton Hospitals Charity.

The latter initiative is tied to plans to help raise money for a new intensive care unit at University Hospital Southampton.

Hampshire is currently hosting an online auction for the charity.

Over £20,000 has already been raised on lots ranging from a signed Tyson Fury boxing glove and other memorabilia, to money can’t buy experiences such as a sailing day with an America’s Cup sailor.

But it is the input from Hampshire players and staff which has overwhelmed Hampshire chief executive David Mann.

Leg spinner Mason Crane, coaches Adi Birrell and Alfonso Thomas and Southern Brave head coach Charlotte Edwards have offered up coaching masterclasses.

One lucky bidder can take on Hampshire’s World Cup winners James Vince and Liam Dawson on the golf course.

Their generosity has been matched with other members of the Hampshire squad giving back to their community during the lockdown – like Kyle Abbott’s wildlife initiative in South Africa and Lewis McManus’ coaching set-up.

‘They have been brilliant,’ Mann said. ‘They are a great bunch of lads and they are happy to help with anything.

‘When we ask them to help they help us but quite often like Kyle and Lewis they are doing stuff off their own backs.

‘They know they are role models and the impact they can have because it is much more powerful coming from them.

‘We are really proud of how they carry themselves.’

Regarding their link with University Hospital Southampton, Mann added: ‘I spoke to Nick Peirce, the chief medical officer for the ECB, about how to help out with the NHS and he suggest approaching the local hospital.

‘We decided to form a partnership with University Hospital Southampton and try and raise money towards refurbishing their intensive unit as it’s not really fit for purpose at the moment.

‘It needs a lot of work done and a lot of money spent on it. They need about £1million.

‘It is obviously a topical project and quite stretched at the moment – and could get worse over the winter.

‘We’re going to agree a partnership with them until the end of 2021, so we'll keep fundraising for them throughout the winter and into next season.’