The Ospreys will be wearing the new charity jersey in aid of the Joshua Foundation for the first time when they face Leicester Tigers in the LV= Cup at the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field on Friday (KO 7.45pm).
The Joshua Foundation was created in September 1998 to provide holidays and experiences for children and their families where the child is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and sales of the limited edition charity jersey that will be worn throughout the LV= Cup campaign are expected to raise £4,500 for the cause.
The striking new jersey, which was unveiled at the Ospreys Llandarcy Academy of Sport training base last month, incorporates the colour scheme of the black and purple 2010/11 home jersey, with the addition of a ‘star’ pattern on the front to symbolise the stars of the Joshua Foundation, the children themselves.
The playing version of the jersey will have the official Joshua Foundation logo attached, and they will be donated to the charity after use for them to be able to raffle or auction to raise further much needed funds.
Founded by Sarah Cornelius-Price after her son Joshua Cornelius, who died from a rare stomach cancer aged seven, the Joshua Foundation celebrated its 10thanniversary on 4thDecember 2008 and in the years since the charity was founded it has raised more than £5million for kids with cancer.
The Joshua Foundation is the chosen charity for 2010 of one of the Ospreys long-term associates, the Sony UK Technology Centre in Pencoed.
In addition to the new jersey making it’s debut, finalists from Miss Swansea 2011 will be present at Friday’s game where they will be participating in a bucket collection in aid of the Joshua Foundation.
Sarah Cornelius-Price of the Joshua Foundation said:
“We cannot thank the Ospreys team and management enough for their support this season. From selling the shirts for our charity, to organising player appearances as well as giving the kids the chance to watch the games, they’ve come up trumps with a programme which all adds value to a difficult time for families across the length and breadth of Wales.
“Living with cancer is a roller coaster ride. The Joshua Foundation is here to provide some highs amongst the lows. Thanks to the Ospreys, there’s even more highs this year.”
Ospreys Managing Director, Roger Blyth, said:
“We are extremely proud to be supporting such a worthwhile cause as the Joshua Foundation, and after the launch of the new charity jersey last month, this is the first opportunity for fans to see the team take to the field in it.
“We will be involved in a number of joint initiatives between now and the end of the season, but the new shirt is the most visible way that we will be working with the Joshua Foundation. Hopefully, by partnering the Joshua Foundation in this way, we will be able to help them with their work in a small way. The combination of money raised from sales and publicity generated will increase awareness among the public of the fantastic work that they do.”
With almost 5,000 tickets already snapped up for the game, they remain on sale at both the Liberty Stadium and the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field, as well as via the Ticket Hotline on 08700 400 004 and online. Tickets will be available at the ground on the day of the game right up until kick off.