Demelza chief executive Ted Gladdish (left) seals the partnership with chief executive officer Jamie Clifford. Picture: Sarah Ansell

Kent County Cricket Club will have the name Demelza Hospice Care for Children on their county championship shirts for the next two season instead of a commercial sponsor.

The club approached the hospice which cares for life-limited children and their families, after players and staff developed a strong relationship with the charity over the past year.

It is believed to be the first time a charity has taken the coveted space on a cricket club's team kit, although in football Spanish giants Barcelona's shirts bear the Unicef crest and Premier League side Aston Villa work with Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Kent chief executive Jamie Clifford said the club’s players and staff had been taken with the work of the hospice.

“I am delighted to announce this exciting approach,” he said. “Through the partnership KCCC has secured the value of the championship naming rights, and I am confident it will open up many more commercial opportunities in the future.

“I believe that this goes further than a traditional sponsorship deal, and expresses something of what a special club Kent is.”

Ted Gladdish, chief executive of Demelza Hospice Care for Children, said they were thrilled their name would feature on Kent’s championship shirts next season.

“This opportunity will help us to reach the extra children who desperately need our help,” said Mr Gladdish. “Kent cricket is helping to make this a reality for many of them."

Kent and the hospice are planning a series of events together at a local and national level throughout the next two years.