Cricket legend Graham Thorpe to be honoured at Kia Oval Test Match for “A Day for Thorpey” in support of Mind
The life of England and Surrey cricketer Graham Thorpe will be remembered and celebrated on Friday 1 August 2025, during the second day of the final men’s Test Match in the series between England v India.
"A Day for Thorpey" will be held at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, London, in support of mental health charity Mind, on what would have been Graham’s 56th birthday. Graham took his own life on the 4th August last year, aged 55, after struggling with anxiety and depression for several years.
Graham played first-class cricket for Surrey County Cricket Club and represented England in 100 Test matches. After retiring from playing, he took on various coaching roles within the sport for both Surrey and England.
A Day for Thorpey will raise money for mental health charity Mind through the sale of a limited-edition headband which resembles what Graham wore when he was batting for England. The headbands have been co-designed with Graham’s wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma. They will be available to pre-order from Monday 21 July from shop.mind.org.uk and the Mind eBay store, and on sale at the Kia Oval Cricket ground on 1st August, for £5 each.
A JustGiving page and text to donate number* has also been set up for donations to A Day for Thorpey. To donate £5, £10 or £20 to Mind, text THORPEY5, THORPEY10 OR THORPEY20 to 70255.
Money raised from headband sales and donations for A Day for Thorpey will support the roll out of “Thorpey’s Bat and Chat”, a project across England and Wales, in partnership with county cricket foundations and the charity’s network of local Minds. Originally developed by Burton and District Mind, Bat and Chat is a 12-week programme combining cricket sessions with guided psychoeducation to support mental health and wellbeing.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Amanda Thorpe said: "That day will be very powerful. We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright. He'll go on."
Kitty Thorpe added: "Death and grief in general isn't talked about enough, considering it happens to everyone. It surrounds us. When you add the layer of death by suicide, that makes it even more taboo.
"I understand it's difficult to talk about - people don't want to say the wrong thing. That doesn't help tackle the stigma around it. We need to change the way we're addressing the topic. That's why we're working with Mind to do something to help that."
Emma Thorpe said: “My dad was quite a private person, so for us to share his experience with his mental health, and our experience of it, it’s important to me that we do that to help other people who have gone through similar things. And to start a conversation and reduce the shame and the stigma around these conversations.”
Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind said: “The loss of Graham last year deeply saddened us. The courage shown by his family - Amanda, Kitty and Emma - in talking openly about Graham’s death and the mental health problems he faced continues to be inspirational, and the difference this makes to other people going through similar experiences is profound.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be working with Amanda, Kitty and Emma, alongside Surrey County Cricket Club, on A Day for Thorpey in support of Mind. This event will celebrate Graham, get us talking about our mental health and break down stigma, and we hope will also raise lots of money for a brilliant mental health support initiative that will be delivered by our network of local Minds in the heart of communities.”
Oli Slipper, Chair at Surrey CCC said: “Graham was a great man and a true legend of the sport. It feels apt to remember and to celebrate his life and his contributions to the game at his home ground. Amanda and the family have spoken very bravely about the difficult times that Graham experienced with his mental health and we hope that the Day for Thorpey will raise awareness and funds to help people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing.”
To pre-order a limited-edition headband online visit shop.mind.org.uk
