Essex Big Bash Raises Incredible £36,457 for Samaritans Southend-on-Sea
Essex business community comes together through cricket to support local mental health charity, with the event confirmed to return in 2027.
Southend-on-Sea, Essex – 25 September 2026
The organisers of Essex Big Bash have announced that this year's charity cricket tournament raised an incredible £36,457 for Samaritans Southend-on-Sea, following a hugely successful event that brought together businesses, professional cricketers, volunteers and supporters from across Essex.
Representatives from Samaritans Southend-on-Sea, AJ Chambers, Garon Park and event partners gathered at Garon Park on Friday 25 September to celebrate the fundraising achievement and officially announce the return of Essex Big Bash in 2027.
Held on Thursday 9 July 2026 at Garon Park, the event saw four teams from across the Essex business community compete in a T12 cricket tournament, with former professional cricketers Graham Napier, Devon Malcolm OBE and Samit Patel joining the action as team captains.
The day welcomed spectators, local businesses and families, alongside a community village, fundraising activities and entertainment, before concluding with a sold-out gala dinner at The Boundary.
The evening featured live entertainment, auctions, a raffle and an inspiring talk from author and former professional cricketer Patrick Foster, who shared his personal journey.
A community united for a cause
Essex Big Bash was originally created by local recruitment company AJ Chambers, bringing together the Essex business community through cricket while raising funds for charity.
Samaritans Southend-on-Sea has been the event's charity partner for the past two years, with the tournament growing into the branch's biggest annual fundraising event.
The branch is run entirely by volunteers, who provide emotional support to people struggling to cope, alongside delivering outreach and awareness activities throughout the local community.
Alice Walker, Deputy Director of Outreach & Fundraising at Samaritans Southend-on-Sea, said:
"£36,457! What an incredible achievement, and one that simply wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of so many people.
Essex Big Bash is about so much more than cricket. It's about bringing our community together, creating conversations, building relationships and supporting a charity that is there for people when they need someone to listen.
From the businesses who sponsored the event and the players who took to the field, to everyone who donated, volunteered, attended the dinner or supported us behind the scenes, every single person played a part in achieving this fantastic total.
I'm incredibly proud of our Samaritans volunteers, who gave so much of their time and energy to make the event happen, and hugely grateful to AJ Chambers for continuing to believe in what we can achieve together.
The generosity of the Essex business community never ceases to amaze me, and I can't thank everyone enough."
Thank you to the Essex business community
The event was made possible through the support of numerous businesses and organisations, including headline sponsor Charles Stanley, alongside Earth Sparks, AJF React, Clive Emson Land & Property Auctioneers, Crowstone Estates, Essex Cricket, Garon Park CIC, The Boundary and Breeze Essex.
Their support, alongside the generosity of the participating teams, local businesses and individuals who contributed products, services, sponsorship and donations, helped make the event a success.
Special recognition also goes to the professional cricketers and guest speakers who generously supported the event, including Graham Napier, Devon Malcolm OBE, Samit Patel and Patrick Foster.
Following the success of this year's event, organisers have confirmed that Essex Big Bash will return in 2027, with Samaritans Southend-on-Sea continuing as the charity partner.
Plans are already underway to build on this year's success, with ambitions to welcome more families and businesses, and create another memorable day of cricket and fundraising.
Further details, including the official event date, sponsorship opportunities and team places, will be announced in due course.
Businesses interested in becoming involved in Essex Big Bash 2027 are encouraged to get in touch with the organising team.
Essex Big Bash will return in 2027!
For more information, visit www.essexbigbash.com.