The Twelfth Man 2018

11 Lifetime Achievement Award: Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird. S OCIETY President Harold Bird was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement award at the Yorkshire Awards in October. Dickie was presented with the award for his services to sport and charity at a glittering ceremony at the Hilton Leeds City Hotel. The 84-year-old, who played for Yorkshire and Leicestershire before umpiring 66 Tests and 69 one day internationals, including three World Cup finals, said: “What a buzz to have been presented with this award. I am over the moon; it is a tremendous honour and privilege. “I’m delighted and it feels extra special that it is a Yorkshire Award because my home county means so much to me. “Yorkshire is wonderful, the people are the salt of the earth, and I have always enjoyed living and working in this great county.” The award was sponsored by Leeds Beckett University and Simon Baldwin from the awards committee said: “Dickie Bird is the worlds most decorated and recognisable cricket umpire, with his reputation for fairness winning him unrivalled respect among players of all sides. “He continues to be a great ambassador for Yorkshire and is a worthy recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.” In November he donated £30,000 to Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) and became its new ambassador. The CHSF supports patients born with heart disease and their families throughout Yorkshire by funding the ground-breaking work of the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit. The charity is wholly self-funded by donations from local supporters who help fund life-saving equipment, accommodation for visiting parents, clinical research, ward facilities and key staffing positions. The CHSF is a celebrated regional institution and celebrated 30 years as a charity in 2018. CHSF’s Chief Executive Officer Sharon Coyle said: “We’re beyond thrilled that Dickie Bird, a true Yorkshire man and sporting icon, is becoming our ambassador. Dickie visited the children’s cardiac ward earlier in the year, and his heartfelt engagement with young patients and their families was inspiring to see – it gave them a huge boost. His generous donation, and influence in our region as ambassador, will be felt by generations to come in our continued mission to support hearts for life.” Dickie added: “I’m delighted to help Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit with my donation, and feel privileged to become their ambassador.” President of Yorkshire CCC Richard Hutton with Society President Dickie Bird