By Elliott West
“I often tell people I have the best job in the world”.
Lois, Jessie May nurse.
Introduction
Snooker prides itself on the importance of the snooker family and one of its most commendable contributions is recognising the importance of charity and the need to give back to the community. World Snooker works in partnership with Jessie May, a specialist organisation with its nurses providing home nursing and respite care for children that have a terminal or a life-limiting condition throughout the South-West of England. A valued organisation that was first established in 1996 and relies on the generosity of support and donations to continue its commendable work.
Giving Back
“It will be a very emotional experience for me”.
Rob Walker
Based in Bristol, Jessie May has a number of nurses who travel on average 70km a week between Bath, Bristol and Swindon to provide palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care for terminally ill children and their families. Currently supporting over 190 children, Jessie May has inspired many to help raise money to help Daniel Cheesman CEO, who recently replaced Chris Dots who held the position for 17 years and his team including Rob Walker who is an MC for World Snooker, has lost three good friends and his son’s best friend who was only 9, in the last 18 months, to run and cycle more than 1000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End. This is a charity event that is in partnership with Jessie May and called The Absent Friends Tour 2023, which is in partnership with Jessie May, will raise money for Jessie May and The Brain Tumour Charity.
Rob will leave four bottles of champagne along the course every day so people can celebrate the lives of others and anyone who donates will automatically be entered into a prize draw that offers an all-expenses paid holiday to Uganda. His Just Giving fund has already raised over £11,000 so far for the two charities and currently has a target figure of £25,000. The highly likeable MC, who has a special place for Uganda in his heart, a country that he has visited regularly since 2005 and recently became the official Goodwill Sports Tourism Ambassador in the country. A proud association that intends to recognise by wearing an official Ugandan sports kit. Although he is keen to point out that he is in no way promoting Uganda.
A Helping Hand
“We urge everyone to have a look at what they do and dig deep to support them because private donations are vital to their future.”
Steve Dawson, World Snooker Chairman.
World Snooker has helped Jessie May with vital funding by donating £500 for every century break made at some of the tournaments to a maximum of £10,000. An amount increased after last season’s Cazoo Masters where 30 centuries were made and so the donation was boosted to £15,000. A fund that is critical to Jessie May precisely because their work is vital on helping the children who are not expected to live beyond the age of 19. Work that was severely impacted by the pandemic and numerous lockdowns and crippled their funding. Thankfully Jessie May is now back on course. World Snooker also organises a Jessie May Day where events are arranged through online activities and articles issued to explain to snooker fans what Jessie May is about and the amazing work it does.
Please donate at Rob Walker’s Just Giving page. https://www.justgiving.com/team/robwalkersabsentfriendstour
