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United News of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- United News of India
Eng to honour Thorpe in final Test against India
London, July 21 (UNI) The life and legacy of former England and Surrey cricketer Graham Thorpe will be commemorated on August 1, the second day of the final men's Test match between England and India at the Kia Oval, in an event titled 'A Day for Thorpey.' The tribute will mark what would have been Thorpe's 56th birthday. The legendary left-hander committed suicide on August 4 last year at the age of 55 after a prolonged struggle with anxiety and depression. The event aims not only to celebrate his cricketing achievements but also to raise awareness and funds for mental health, in partnership with the charity 'Mind.' Thorpe, who featured in 100 Test matches for England and enjoyed a distinguished career with Surrey County Cricket Club, later served in various coaching roles with both the national and county teams. Widely respected for his technical skill and grit, he remains one of the most admired figures in English cricket. To honour his memory, special edition headbands — designed to resemble those worn by Thorpe while batting — will be sold to raise funds for Mind. Co-designed by his wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma, the headbands will be available for pre-order starting July 21 through and Mind's eBay store. They will also be sold at the Kia Oval on August 1 for £5 each. In addition, a JustGiving page and a text-to-donate facility have been launched to support the cause. Supporters can text THORPEY5, THORPEY10 or THORPEY20 to 70255 to donate £5, £10 or £20 respectively. Funds raised will go toward expanding the "Thorpey's Bat and Chat" programme, a 12-week initiative combining cricket with psychoeducational mental health support, originally piloted by Burton and District Mind. The project will now be extended across England and Wales through local Mind branches and county cricket foundations. Kitty Thorpe reflected on the stigma around suicide: "Death and grief aren't talked about enough. When you add the layer of suicide, it becomes even more taboo. We're working with Mind to change that.' Emma Thorpe added: "My dad was a private person, but sharing his and our experiences is important to help others and reduce the shame and stigma around mental health." Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, praised the family's courage: "The loss of Graham deeply saddened us. Amanda, Kitty and Emma have spoken with immense strength. Their openness helps others going through similar struggles. It is an honour to work with them on 'A Day for Thorpey'." Oli Slipper, Chair of Surrey CCC, said: "Graham was a true legend. Celebrating him at his home ground feels fitting. We hope this day raises crucial awareness and support for mental wellbeing." The tribute at the Oval is expected to unite the cricketing world in remembrance of Thorpe, not just as a formidable batsman, but as a symbol of the pressing need to address mental health in sport and beyond. UNI BDN SSP
News18
21-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Surrey To Honour Graham Thorpe On Day 2 Of Oval Test
Last Updated: 'Day for Thorpey' will be held at the Oval Cricket Ground, London, in support of mental health charity Mind, on what would have been Graham's 56th birthday. Surrey County Cricket Club (SCCC) will honour former England batter Graham Thorpe during the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval. 'The life of England and Surrey cricketer Graham Thorpe will be remembered and celebrated on Friday, August 1, during the second day of the final men's Test Match in the series between England vs India," Surrey County Cricket Club (SCCC) said in a statement. 'Day for Thorpey' will be held at the Oval Cricket Ground, London, in support of mental health charity Mind, on what would have been Graham's 56th birthday. Graham took his own life on August 4 last year, aged 55, after struggling with anxiety and depression for several years. Graham played first-class cricket for Surrey County Cricket Club and represented England in 100 Test matches. After retiring from playing, he took on various coaching roles within the sport for both Surrey and England. 'A Day for Thorpey' will raise money for mental health charity Mind through the sale of a limited-edition headband which resembles what Graham wore when he was batting for England. The headbands have been co-designed with Graham's wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma," the statement said. 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 BBC Breakfast, Amanda Thorpe said, 'That day will be very powerful. We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright. He'll go on." Kitty Thorpe added, 'Death and grief in general isn't talked about enough, considering it happens to everyone. It surrounds us. When you add the layer of death by suicide, that makes it even more taboo. 'I understand it's difficult to talk about – people don't want to say the wrong thing. That doesn't help tackle the stigma around it. We need to change the way we're addressing the topic. That's why we're working with Mind to do something to help that." Emma said, 'My dad was quite a private person, so for us to share his experience with his mental health, and our experience of it, it's important to me that we do that to help other people who have gone through similar things. And to start a conversation there and reducing the shame and the stigma that there is around these conversations." (With IANS Inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
