Josh Baker’s parents on how watching England in Australia is helping them with grief
The charity has raised £65,000 so far, partly through events such as the ball and golf day at New Road in Worcestershire. But Lisa and Paul hit a snag. Spending the money seems more problematic than collecting it.
“I thought it would be the other way around,” says Paul. “Raising money is never easy, but how do we change people’s lives, make things better for people and have success stories to tell behind it?
“Our aim is to give something back to the sport of cricket that we love so much as a family.
“It’s not something that’s our expertise, so we’re finding out how we can direct funds towards helping people, clubs or the medical side of the game. This could be helping young people get to games or helping families where finances are a barrier.”
Lisa and Paul are now asking anyone who can provide direction for the JB33 Foundation to get in touch via the charity’s Instagram page.
“This is something we are very passionate about because it means so much to us,” says Lisa. “We need to start spending and shouting about what we’re doing.”
Even while in Australia, Lisa and Paul continue to make Foundation-related phone calls and organize meetings. When they arrive home in the new year, they want to continue their work before the new season starts.
By then they will complete their Ashes tour in Sydney. On day one of the fifth Test, they will once again wear their JB33 shirts, as they did on the opening day of each of the previous four Tests.
“It hurts so much because her face is in the back, but it’s also so beautiful,” says Lisa.
Like Melbourne, returning to Sydney will stir up excruciating emotions no parent should ever feel.
It was outside the Sydney Cricket Ground where Josh bowled during the 2011 Ashes Test, and it was in the city where Josh had his winter cricket adventure just months before his passing.
“He wasn’t a big Christmas person,” Lisa says. “I have no doubt he wouldn’t be spending Christmas at home for long – he’d be here playing cricket.
“He loved his life. Music played a big part. Some songs come on and I have to take a deep breath. He loved his music. He was always singing.
“Coming to Australia is now very special for us. We feel closer to it at Christmas than we do at home.”
