Oval Test to commemorate ‘Day for Thorpey’ on Day 2 as it would have been former England batter’s 56th birthday.
Oval Test to feature ‘Day for Thorpey’ in commemoration of Graham Thorpe.
Nearly a year to the day after he sadly committed suicide at the age of 55, a “Day for Thorpey” will be held during the fifth Test match between England and India at the Kia Oval next month to honour and celebrate the memory of former England and Surrey batsman Graham Thorpe.
The sale of specially created headbands, co-designed with Graham’s wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma, will contribute to the event’s efforts to raise money and awareness for the mental health charity Mind. This is a reference to the iconic style that Graham wore during his 100-Test career.
The event will happen on August 1, which would have been Thorpe’s 56th birthday and the second day of the fifth Test.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Amanda 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 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.”