Serving More Than Meals: Fran Sharman Supporting Refugee Children Through Cities for Children
Tue 17 Jun 2025
At Leicestershire County Cricket Club, our team isn’t just passionate about cricket”we’re passionate about community. One of our very own, Fran Sharman from the Club’s catering team, is doing inspiring work beyond the Uptonsteel County Ground through her involvement with the charity Cities for Children.
The charity operates in both the UK and Pakistan, supporting vulnerable children”many from migrant and refugee backgrounds”to ensure their right to learn and play safely. In the UK, their work is focused in transitional accommodation: hotels that serve as the first point of arrival for refugee families entering the country.
Fran is part of a team that runs playful learning sessions for children living in these temporary settings. These sessions build English vocabulary, basic science knowledge, and social-emotional skills through hands-on, creative play. It’s about more than education”it’s about confidence, belonging, and creating safe spaces for children to be children again.
One unexpected, joyful constant in these sessions? Cricket.
As Fran explains, “The word cricket is like magic, kids light up the moment they hear it. It’s something they instantly connect to, even if we don’t share the same language.â€
From spontaneous games in hotel corridors to heartfelt conversations about future dreams involving cricket, the game has become a powerful bridge between facilitators and children - and between the children themselves. In one recent session on emotions, two boys were asked what made them happy. Their answer was simple: “Cricket.†In another, when asked to build something related to a dream job, one child created a cricket set.
Through her work with Cities for Children, Fran is seeing first-hand how play - especially cricket - can unite, empower, and heal. Her dedication off the pitch reflects the spirit we celebrate here at the Club: community, compassion, and the power of sport to change lives.
We’re proud of Fran and the difference she’s making.
To learn more about Cities for Children and how you can support their work, visit citiesforchildren.co
