Giving thanks for 'Dolly'

Buy photos » The life of Basil D'Oliveira will be remembered during a special Thanksgiving Service on Friday. Picture courtesy of WCCC Heritage Group.

A THANKSGIVING service for the life of Worcestershire and England cricket legend Basil D'Oliveira will be held in Worcester Cathedral on Friday afternoon.

Mr D'Oliveira died in November, aged 80, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease and the special service to celebrate his life is expected to attract great names from the world of sport and politics.

The cathedral will open at 1.30pm with the service starting at 2.30pm and people are welcome to come and pay their respects.

In the wake of his death the D'Oliveira family have been touched by the number of people who have sent condolences and messages of support.

The overwhelming amount of letters and cards received has been greatly appreciated by the family but it is proving impossible to reply to everybody

The family have set up a Just Giving page where well-wishers can make donations towards Parkinson's UK, a national charity whose aim is to find a cure and also improve the life of everyone affected by Parkinson's.

Donations are also being received by Stanfield Nursing Home in Rushwick, where Mr D'Oliveira was cared for during the last seven years of his life.

People can send donations to the nursing home to Richard White, Stanfield Nursing Home, Upper Wick Lane, Rushwick Worcester, WR2 5SU. To donate to Parkinson's UK visit www.justgiving.com/damiandoliveira