Andrew Baker MBE BCAv
Over the course of five years during his time at the school he lead and inspired the school's fundraising efforts in his fundraising crusade for the Oxford Children's Hospital which he also inspired the sixth form and Didcot Girls' School to get on board. He raised over £11,000 with the St Birinus School community.
The school along with Andrew's name is displayed on a glass plaque of recognition inside the hospital's atrium with hundreds of others involved in raising significant sums of money in the building capital appeal for the Oxford Children's Hospital, which was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in November 2008. Despite living daily life with a brain injury, Andrew now 32 fights strong against his disability which often leaves him suffering chronic fatigue, debilitating headaches, impaired cognitive function and walking difficulties, but he continues undeterred to continue helping others in need, be it children's, health or disability causes or others requring help and support. |
Awarded an MBE in Her Majesty The Queen's New Year Honours 2021, Andrew first began fundraising when, in September 2002 he and his mother Ann was involved in the launch of the Oxford Mail's original £15million fundraising campaign to build the specialist Oxford Children's Hospital, which opened in January 2007.
It was this appeal and his own personal motivation to give back which in January 2003 first drove Andy into wanting to raise funds as a pupil at St Birinus School in Didcot for the children's hospital. Raising funds at school was his way to repay his 'thank-you back' to the Oxford medical teams who cared, helped and treated him throughout childhood. Oxford medics saved his life twice over - once at birth after he was looked after in the neonatal care areas after being born with a brain injury - and again aged 12 following brain surgery. Now, in 19 years of tireless fundraising through events and including the value of presents in the annual "Sleigh2Give" drive he has over £280,000 and continually rising for good causes across the county, with thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers and the Oxfordshire community of supporters.
Due to his sheer dedication and tireless work he has also been recognised at other levels including in July 2019 becoming an Ambassador for the British Citizen Awards. The High Sheriff of Oxfordshire gave him a High Sheriff Award in March 2020 for outstanding voluntary work. E-mail Andy |
BBC South Today - Watch Adina Campbell's report from July 2017 broadcast on the day Andrew received a British Citizen Award at the Palace of Westminster. With thanks to BBC South Today and contributors St Birinus School, Headway Oxfordshire and Oxford Children's Hospital.
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Credit ITV Meridian News - Andrew's finalist film. Pride of Britain 2019. Andrew was one of four regional finalists for 'ITV Fundraiser of the Year' in the ITV Meridian region. Film broadcast 30th September 2019.
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