BEN Smith is hoping his benefit year will end with a flourish as he gets ready for his final four events.

The Worcestershire batsman admits it has been a tough 12 months for his benefit with the country gripped in the midst of global recession.

But the 37-year-old player-coach hopes the celebrity golf day at Droitwich’s Gaudet Luce Golf Club on November 17, the fashion show at House of Fraser, Worcester, on November 20, the race night at the Graeme Hick Pavilion the following night and the closing ball on November 27 at the Pear Tree Inn Hotel, Smite, will close the year off with a bang. Smith said: “It has had its peaks and troughs through the year. Sometimes it has been flying along then the bottom drops out of it.

“I think most of the events organisers have said, ‘You’ve picked the wrong year’. But you don’t get a chance to pick your benefit, you are awarded it.”

The former New Road skipper, who is entering his ninth season with the County, has been pleased with the support received during his benefit year.

“We are not maximising fund-raising in this recession because people have been careful with their money and you can’t blame them,” he said.

“But when we do hold an event at least we are making a bit.

“I knew that it was going to be hard work and I’ll continue to put that in for the rest of the year.”

With his benefit year coming to an end, Smith is looking to focus his attentions on his fielding coaching role and earning his place back in the Worcestershire side for the new campaign.

For more information about Smith’s final four benefit year events, visit ben smithbenefit.com.