FAMOUS cricketing father and son Chris and Stuart Broad have always lived happy lives in Nottingham, but last summer brought an unexpected and devastating jolt to their family life.
Miche, the wife of former Test cricketer Chris – stepmother to Stuart and his sister Gemma – was suddenly struck down with incurable motor neurone disease.
Her deterioration was rapid and in July last year she took her own life at the age of 60.
But out of that tragedy, the Broad family are determined that something good will come to honour her memory.
They have set up the Broad Appeal, a charity which aims to support other affected families and raise money for research into a cure.
"Losing Miche had a big effect on our family," said Gemma. "She went from an energetic and vivacious person, someone who was standing on seats cheering Notts and England victories at Trent Bridge, to someone who couldn't eat or talk.
"One of the biggest things is that mentally you are totally unaffected, but your body breaks down.
"You could see from Miche's eyes that she wanted to say something, but her muscles wouldn't let her. It's unbelievably hurtful to see that happen to someone you love."
Already, the appeal has organised a fashion show at the Carriage Hall in Plumtree next week and a race evening at Southwell in July, with more events planned.
It will also receive �5 for every ticket sold until May 12 for England's one-day international against Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge on July 6, thanks to a partnership with Notts County Cricket Club.
A cheque presentation will take place at the ground during England's Npower Test match with India, starting on July 29.
"We wanted to set something up after Miche died that could not only help people around us but those further afield as well," said Chris.
"This is a fantastic agreement with Notts, which is our home. We can't thank them enough."
Motor neurone disease affects 5,000 people in the country at any one time. Stuart said: "After Miche died last year, the whole month of July I found it particularly hard playing and my mind probably wasn't 100 per cent on the job.
"To have set up this Broad appeal is something we are very excited about."
For more details and to donate, visit: www.thebroadappeal.org.uk
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