Sheffield family’s concert is ‘Simply The Best’

We’re over the moon that a star-studded concert organised by the incredible Croke family has raised tens of thousands of pounds to help us provide vital support to people and families facing cancer.

‘Simply The Best’ was held last month at Sheffield City Hall in memory of ‘magnificent wife and truly special mum’, Bev Croke. It launched the charity fund BB With Love, set-up in Bev’s name by her husband Mick, daughter Rachel and sons Sean and Matt, raising a total of £30,000.

The funds will help provide physical, emotional, practical and financial support for people and families affected by cancer. BB With Love was launched following the love, support and care the Croke family received from Weston Park after Bev’s diagnosis in 2019.

The Crokes will continue hosting events and activities all year round, with Simply The Best’s next annual concert already confirmed for Sunday 2 October 2022. Full details including ticket information will follow soon.

Simply The Best 2021 featured show-stopping performances from the likes of Joe McElderry, Faye Tozer, Kerry Ellis, Billy Pearce, Kevin Clifton, Hayley Tammadon and Melissa Jacques, plus Matt and Rachel Croke themselves.

On an emotional night at the City Hall, Sheffield Cancer Choir – of which Bev Croke was a much-loved member – and young performers from Sheffield-based RMC Academy of Theatre Performance, also featured.

The event was hailed as a huge success by organisers, concert goers and cast members. Weston Park Cancer Charity staff and trustees said that funds raised will have ‘huge impact’ for people affected by cancer.

In addition to providing support for patients and families affected by cancer in the South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire regions, funds raised by BB With Love will also help Weston Park Cancer Charity enable vital research into better cancer treatment and care.

“It’s fantastic to see and hear first-hand the impact which Simply The Best and our subsequent events will have,” said Mick Croke.

“Weston Park Cancer Charity does so much to support so many people, and it is so important that people in our region know that the charity’s support is here when they need it.

“The support we received, and continue to receive, since Bev’s diagnosis in 2019, has been priceless to us. We want to help Weston Park and to continue what Bev wanted to do in helping people.

“We’re extremely proud to have been able to give back to Weston Park, to ensure that the charity can continue to be there for people facing cancer today – and help improve treatment and care for people facing it tomorrow.

“If the awareness we’ve raised means that one person reaches out to Weston Park Cancer Charity for support, that’s payment enough.”

Cat Rhone, our director of fundraising and marketing, said: “What the Croke family have achieved, and continue to achieve, is incredible. This family is absolutely unstoppable and we want to say a huge thank you to them for their tireless support.

“Simply The Best was a wonderful, emotional tribute to Bev, and raised a phenomenal amount for us to continue to be there, at every step, for people and families just like the Crokes.

“Fundraising like this makes a huge impact, particularly during a year which has seen our income drop by 50 per cent.

“Mick, Rachel, Sean and Matt should be so proud – the feedback we’ve received following the 2021 edition of Simply The Best has been extremely moving. We already can’t wait for next year’s concert – we have no doubt it’ll be an absolute show-stopper once more!”

For more information on BB With Love, visit here