Bowled over by new facilities: Cricketer opens hospice play area

REFURBISHED: Martin House's facilities have been spruced up thanks to funds from local trusts and organisations

Yorkshire cricketer and Martin House Ambassador Ryan Sidebottom officially opened the newly refurbished outdoor play facilities at Martin House Hospice, earlier this week.

The event saw funders from across West, North and East Yorkshire gather with Martin House families, staff and trustees to celebrate the launch of the hospice’s facilities and see the new equipment in action.

The hospice, which encompasses six acres of gardens, has recently refurbished two of its largest outdoor play areas, incorporating equipment and all-weather areas that are fully accessible and suitable for all wheelchairs.

Facilities include a wheelchair swing and roundabout; trampolines, a large activity centre with a slide and sand pit and a spectacular water play station.

The major project has been largely funded by trusts and local organisations, with several individual donors also contributing substantial amounts to the cause.

Work on the next phase of redevelopment will begin later next year, following the installation of new walkways and lighting across the site.

Chief Executive of Martin House, Angela Monaghan, said: “The needs of our children and young people are constantly changing and, as we are approaching our 30th anniversary year, we felt the time was right to begin redeveloping our outdoor areas to create more accessible and inclusive spaces to be enjoyed by all families.”

“Play forms a huge part of the experience for the families who choose to stay at Martin House.

“When a child has a life-limiting condition, much of the focus can be placed on the illness and their immediate medical needs, but providing the time and facilities to allow children to play not only improves their emotional and psychological wellbeing, it allows them to enjoy a ‘normal’ existence.

“For families who may only have a short time together, the happy moments they share are as important as the medical care we provide.”

Pakistan return to England

ARRESTED: Amir was disgraced following the 2010 Test match, after being found guilty of spot-fixing

Mohammed Amir set for England tour, six years on from spot-fixing scandal

In 2010, the cricketing world was rocked by a spot-fixing scandal that resulted in three Pakistan internationals being suspended after a Test match at Lords.

Next month, disgraced cricketer, Mohammed Amir, returns to England for the first time since his five-year ban from the sport, as he looks to continue rebuilding his international career.

Amir, now 24, was the youngest of the three players – alongside former team mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif – to be suspended and jailed after a series of deliberate ‘no balls’ were bowled in a Test match.

Pakistan coach, Mickey Arthur, insists that the left-arm paceman has all the potential to return to the top of the game.

“He served his time, he's done it,” Arthur, who coached Amir during his reign at Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), said in his first news conference.

“I had Amir in the PSL, he was a fantastic professional. Other stuff is not relevant to me.

“The stuff that's relevant to me is making Mohammad Amir the best he can possibly be as a cricketer.”

Amir’s return was initially resented by some teammates and fans yet the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have stood by the talented bowler since his re-introduction to the national setup.

CAUGHT OUT: Replays showed Amir’s unusual bowling which were later found out to be purposely bowled ‘no balls’

“People can say what they like, it's got nothing to do with me,” Arthur added.

“If Mohammad Amir is picked in the Pakistan cricket team, which he has been for the England tour, it's my role as head coach to make him the best possible player that he can possibly be.”

England will face Pakistan for the first time at Lords Cricket Ground on Thursday 14th July, before heading north to Manchester’s Emirates Old Trafford on Friday 22nd July.

Tests at Edgbaston and The Oval follow in August before a one day and Twenty20 series later this year.

The teams last played each other in the UAE in October and November last year, with Pakistan prevailing in the three-match series on that occasion with a 2-0 victory.

Pakistan batsman, Younis Khan, is confident his side can put on a repeat performance in England next month, and is looking forward to a return to the UK.

RETURNING: Mohammed Amir will return to the scene of the crime at Lords next month as Pakistan face off against England in a Test series

“It is always a pleasure whenever you play in Lord's,” Khan said. “The tradition and using that dressing room and that ground... in my mind it's always a challenge and a pleasure for me so playing cricket in England is all about that.

“If you go there and play according to your plans you'll be successful in any conditions and against any bowler.”