Sporting legend helps rack up more than £2,000 for local children’s charity

By Amanda Chalmers 20th Mar 2023

Steve Davis with Rachel Ollerenshaw and Jackie Evans from Molly Ollys (Image by Everybody Smile Photography)
Steve Davis with Rachel Ollerenshaw and Jackie Evans from Molly Ollys (Image by Everybody Smile Photography)

Six-times World Snooker champion Steve Davis helped pocket plenty of cash for local children's charity Molly Ollys with two appearances in Warwick this week.

An Evening With Steve Davis OBE, on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, offered visitors the chance to enjoy an exclusive audience with the sporting legend at Warwick Spice in Smith Street.

A household name for over 30 years, the event charted Steve's career, from meeting manager Barry Hearn and his unstoppable dominance of the snooker world in the 1980s, through to the famous black ball final against Dennis Taylor - which attracted more than 18.5million TV viewers – and his emotional farewell at The Crucible Theatre in 2016 when he retired from competitive play.

He shared plenty of anecdotes and also talked about how he since turned his love of music into a regular role as a music DJ.

A raffle and auction on both nights included the chance to win a signed snooker cue and snooker ball as well as a raft of other prizes.

Reflecting on the cause, Steve said: "Molly Ollys, like many other small charities, doesn't get massive funding and needs all the support it can get. You can't underestimate how wonderful it is to give children a little bit of hope and reassurance that they're not on their own.

"For everyone who is a snooker fan who learns about the charity through this event, please make a donation to help Molly Ollys to grow and continue to do their good work.

"When you come on the road you meet some wonderful people representing wonderful charities and you realise just how many people are doing so much good work."

Nash Meghji on sitar (image by Everybody Smile Photography)

Whilst still a familiar face and voice in the BBC snooker commentary box, Steve admitted his playing days were long behind him.

"Once I retired I decided that was the end of the line. There was no point in playing anymore and just enjoy being a spectator and enjoying the fact that somewhere down the line I used to be quite good at the game. I don't have any more desire to try and get a ball in a hole with a pointy stick! I've exhausted that part of my life now."

Warwick-based Molly Ollys was established following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw's eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer and marked its tenth anniversary last year.

The charity supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. It helps with emotional support and donates wishes, therapeutic toys and books to children directly and through hospitals across the UK.

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: "What a great couple of nights at Warwick Spice. Steve Davis and Chris Lovell, a coach from World Snooker, were very entertaining, extremely personable and supportive of Molly Ollys.

"Steve has had such an interesting career and is clearly so passionate about snooker and the history of the game. Huge thanks to Hosoun and all the team at Warwick Spice for organising, Mike Rigby, Nash on sitar and the drummers who all helped to make a fun night and raise awareness for the Charity."

Since Molly Ollys started more than £3 million has been raised to emotionally support children across the UK. Anyone wishing to donate can do so here.

     

New kenilworth Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: kenilworth jobs

Share:


Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide kenilworth with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.