Showbiz family’s star-studded concert raises £62,000 for Weston Park Cancer Charity

BB With Love’s Simply The Best 2022, at Sheffield City Hall last month – following a debut £30,000 fundraising show last year – means the two shows have raised almost £100,000 to honour 61-year-old breast cancer victim Bev, also known as BB, with proceeds to Weston Park Cancer Charity.

The jaw-dropping amount of cash will to help cancer patients and their loved ones across the region.

The shows were organised by Bev’s son and daughter, West End and The Voice singing sensation Matt Croke, aged 33, his dance star sister Rachel, 37, Bev’s other son Sean, 35 and husband, Mick.

Host Gok Wan joined Matt and Rachel for this year’s show along with other West End, TV and film star friends including Hayley Tamaddon, Daniel Brocklebank, Ella Vaday, Melissa Jacques, George Ure, Matt Henry MBE, Ben Nickless, Sheffield Cancer Choir, of which Bev was a much-loved member before she passed away, and Sheffield-based Shine Choir and RMC Academy of Theatre Performance, which is run by Matt and Rachel.

A VIP three-course meal and meet and greet was also held before the main event, in Sheffield City Hall’s Ballroom.

It was announced on the night that a target of £50,000 had been smashed– but now the full total is now being celebrated of £62,204.

The Croke family set up BB With Love in 2021 to continue Bev’s legacy and help provide physical, emotional, practical and financial support for people and families affected by cancer after the love, support and care the Croke family received from Weston Park after Bev’s diagnosis in 2019.

Money was raised at the event by ticket sales, generous donations from concert-goers and bids in an auction during the three-course meal.

Producers Matt and Rachel said: “We can’t get over what’s just happened – all we do know is that the audience were amazing and we reached – or rather beat – our target!

“We were just so grateful to everybody. We got to that £50,000 mark on the night and went past it. We’re very happy – and we’re so thankful to everybody that was involved. It was Simply The Best – again!”

Michael, husband to Bev and father to Rachel, Sean and Matthew, said: “We’re just over the moon to know the impact which BB With Love is having for people facing cancer in our region.

“When we started on this journey, I said that even if we get one more person to reach out for Weston Park Cancer Charity’s support, or if we can help researchers right here in Sheffield get one step closer to a cure, then that is payment enough.

“The support we received, and continue to receive, has been priceless to us. We want to help Weston Park Cancer Charity and to continue what Bev wanted to do in helping people.”

Events and activities will continue throughout the year, organised by BB With Love. For more information or to pledge your support, visit wpcc-in-memory.raisely.com/bb-with-love.

Cat Rhone, Deputy CEO at Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “What the Croke family have achieved again this year, through BB With Love, is remarkable. I thought last year’s event would be extremely difficult to top, but they’ve achieved that and then some!

“What this Sheffield family are doing, and continue to do for other people and families who face a cancer diagnosis, is incredible. We just want to say a huge thank you to them, and to everybody who contributed to making Simply The Best such a huge success again.

“Fundraising like this makes a huge impact to us, particularly at a time when our income is still reduced massively compared to what we’d expect pre-pandemic. Mick, Rachel, Sean and Matt should be so proud of the legacy they are continuing for wonderful Bev.”

For more information on BB With Love visit: wpcc-in-memory.raisely.com/bb-with-love.

And for more on Weston Park Cancer Charity visit www.westonpark.org.uk.