Many of us have been scrambling around for something to do during another lockdown. We all try and occupy ourselves with work, sport, volunteering and unusual hobbies to keep ourselves staying sane. We have also looked out for each other more and it’s fantastic to see people raising money for charitable causes. This includes folk in the world of snooker!
If you are interested in finding more information about these campaigns and wanting to contribute towards them, please follow the relevant links.
Emma Parker
The two-time ranking event semi-finalist is raising money for Cancer Research UK to walk 10,000 steps every day in March.
Cancer Research UK is a charity close to her heart as cancer has affected her relatives and closest friends. One of whom was Billy O’Connor, an inspirational and talented amateur snooker player whose brave three-year battle with cancer ended in 2015 at the age of 18.
Emma has beaten her initial target and has raised over £500.00 at the time of publishing this article. Click here if you wish to donate.
Ian Burns
Two-time ranking quarter-finalist Ian Burns is raising money for the Alder Hey Children’s Charity by taking part in the 4x4x48 challenge in March.
The 4x4x48 challenge was inspired by retired Navy Seal, ultramarathon runner, triathlete and motivational speaker David Goggins. Burns would need to run a total of 48 miles within 48 hours. This means he will have to run four miles every four hours.
The feat starts on the 5th of March and Ian has raised over £250 so far. Click here if you wish to donate.
Shaun Murphy & Phil Seymour
Triple Crown winner Shaun Murphy and sports MC Phil Seymour are raising money for Jessie May and Kitchen for Everyone – York by competing against each other in a weight-loss challenge. The duo decided to lose weight in January and are hoping to lose the most pounds by the Betfred World Snooker Championship on April 16th 2021. You can read Murphy’s motivations on the World Snooker Tour website here.
The fundraiser has been well-documented in the newspapers, including The Press and The Daily Mirror. It is gaining a lot of traction on social media under the hashtag #snookersbiggestloser because of the playful banter between the two contestants. As of 26th February, Murphy and Seymour lost over 18kg together!
The page has raised almost £3,500. Click here if you wish to donate.
Tom Ford
Tom Ford and nine of his friends are raising money to pay towards private treatment for a nine-year-old girl with a serious illness. A friend of the 2016 Paul Hunter Classic finalist has a step-daughter called Maya who was diagnosed with a very rare form of epilepsy that causes constant seizure activity. Ford talks about his challenge in greater depth on the World Snooker Tour website here.
As the National Health Service couldn’t provide this service, the gang decided to raise money for this treatment, which costs around £2,000 a month. Together they will run 1000 kilometres during March. The fundraiser has collected over £5,000 at the time of writing! Please click here if you wish to donate.
