A WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket star is helping to make a difference by lending a hand at Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Alexei Kervezee, 26, has signed up for a volunteer role at Acorns for the Three Counties on Bath Road, to help the charity in its vital care for life limited and life threatened children and young people and support for their families.

The sportsman, who will start work at Acorns in September, alongside his sporting commitments, is looking forward to the challenge.

He said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the world with the Holland cricket team and I’ve seen the best and worst of a lot of those places so I’ve always thought that I’d like to go into looking after children.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the work and employees of Acorns and what they do for the children and their families.

"It is a great cause and volunteering for them is one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Kervezee hopes to focus his hospice volunteering experience around hydrotherapy, by assisting Acorns physiotherapists in this specialist area of care.

Hydrotherapy is used by the hospice to help relax, stimulate and manage the symptoms of children and young people.

He said: “My fiancé works for a local special school, so by talking to her about what she does has helped give me a nudge towards this line of work and I’m looking forward to developing my skills and expertise.”

Katreena Barnes, volunteer manager at the hospice, said: “We are extremely grateful to Alexei for giving up his time for Acorns and for his enthusiasm and commitment to our work.

"As a charity we simply wouldn’t be able to provide the care we do without the help of our incredible volunteers and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming Alexei on board in September.”

Acorns provides a range of specialist palliative care to children and young people and support for their families. In the past year Acorns has provided care to more than 800 children and over 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.

If you are interested in finding out how you can volunteer your time for Acorns, please visit acorns.org.uk/volunteering