Squash world champion hits out for city hospice in exhibition match

The star, a patron of Sheffield’s only hospice, was the headliner at a special exhibition match at Collingham and Linton Squash and Racketball Club in Wetherby.

Matthew – a two times world champion, three times British Open champion and five times British national champion – beat the club’s seven-times champion Andrew Widdowson and also took part in a coaching session with club juniors.

The event raised a final total of £1,100, which will go direct to the £4.5m needed annually to maintain the hospice’s services.

St Luke’s income development manager Ged Carter said: “Having Nick as one of our patrons is very important to us.

“This was the first event Nick has undertaken on our behalf and it proved to be an enormous success.”

Meanwhile, donation boxes for the hospice have been installed at NCP car parks around Sheffield city centre.

The clothing donation units are now in place at car parks in Arundel Gate, Furnival Gate, Wellington Street, Hartshead Square and Blonk Street.

Adam Richards from NCP said: “So often people load items for donation into the boot and then forget about them and drive around for weeks without doing anything about it.

“Thanks to these units that won’t be a problem any longer, you’ll be able to drop off your unwanted items every time you park.”

Darren Sterling, retail development manager at St Luke’s Hospice, added: “This is a great partnership for St Luke’s.

“Everybody knows that the shops are great for a bargain but that means we have a constant need for new stock.

“You can always drop off your donations at any of our 10 shops during normal opening hours but, thanks to NCP, we now have an equally easy and convenient way to support Sheffield’s only hospice.”