A Rotherham cricket club have pulled together once again for Bluebell Wood, in memory of Natalie Maw, who spent her final moments at the hospice surrounded by her family.

Whiston Parish Church Cricket Club’s annual charity day began after secretary Peter Maw lost his daughter to a rare form of liver cancer  in 2012.

Peter and his wife Karen spent seven weeks with Natalie at the hospice before it was time to say their final heartbreaking goodbyes.

“We wanted Natalie to be surrounded by love at the end of her life, and for those final moments to be as dignified as possible,” said Peter, 55, from Whiston.

“That’s exactly what Bluebell Wood gave us, and we’ll always be incredibly grateful for that.

“The staff were wonderful to Natalie in her final weeks and the level of care we received as a family was outstanding, which is why we do what we can to give something back.”

Whiston Parish Church Cricket Club raised a stunning £1134 on this year’s charity day, which has become a central part of the club’s calendar. The club even had a special gift from Rotherham United’s manager Paul Warne this year, who donated a signed shirt which was auctioned off for £125 and will be displayed in the clubhouse.

Now in its eighth year, the annual event has raised an incredible £9,233 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

“Ever since we started the charity day the summer after Natalie passed away, the cricket club’s been absolutely fantastic and the support of everyone involved just astounding,” added Peter, who is a teacher at Wales High School.

“The charity day itself came from circumstances that you’d obviously never want to happen, but from it we started something phenomenal.

“It really is about more than just cricket and I’m very proud to be a part of the club. We really can’t thank members of ‘The Parish’ enough for their generosity and support for the hospice and for myself and Karen”.

Peter has embarked on various other fundraisers for Bluebell Wood over the past few years, including an epic 700-mile cycle ride across France with his friends Hossein Yazdi and Ken Stainthorpe, raising thousands through their efforts.

Sally Baker, Community Fundraising Manager at Bluebell Wood, said: “We’re delighted that the charity day, as always, was such a roaring success and we’d like to thank everyone at the club for their ongoing support.

“Peter, Karen and Whiston Parish Church Cricket Club are very much a part of the Bluebell Wood community, and thanks to your support and generosity we’re able to make a real difference to local families when they need us the most.”