Sheffield family’s star-studded concert in memory of beloved mum raises more than £60,000

A Sheffield family raised £62,204.46 towards cancer support services, research and treatment advances by organising a star-studded concert at Sheffield City Hall in memory of their beloved mum and wife, Bev Croke.

BB With Love’s Simply The Best 2022, organised by the Croke family – Michael, Sean, Rachel and Matthew – helped continue the legacy of ‘truly special’ Bev, also known as BB, who sadly passed away from breast cancer in 2021 aged just 61.

On an extremely moving evening, host Gok Wan was joined on stage by a number of West End, TV and film stars including Hayley Tamaddon, Daniel Brocklebank, Ella Vaday, Melissa Jacques, George Ure, Matt Henry MBE, Ben Nickless and producers Rachel and Matthew Croke.

Sheffield Cancer Choir, of which Bev was a much-loved member before she passed away, also provided a spellbinding performance – as did Sheffield-based Shine Choir, and RMC Academy of Theatre Performance, which is run by Matthew and Rachel Croke.

In addition to the stunning entertainment on the stage, there was also entertainment elsewhere – with a VIP three-course meal and meet and greet session taking place before the main event, in Sheffield City Hall’s Ballroom.

The Croke family set up BB With Love in 2021 to continue Bev Croke’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 held during the VIP three-course meal.

Simply The Best 2022 brings the total raised by BB With Love to almost £100,000 in just 18 months – a remarkable impact in a relatively short space of time.

Immediately after the show, producers Matthew and Rachel Croke 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 of £50,000!

“When the total was announced on stage, I couldn’t believe it – 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 Croke, 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.

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 Weston Park Cancer Charity, call 0114 553 3330.