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100 Miles For The Play2Give Oxford Children's Hospital Appeal
Release: September 30 2020
Managing Director and Owner of EliteYouthSports.co.uk, Gareth Tucker, is setting out on a quest this October to help raise £1000 for Oxfordshire-based charity Play2Give, who fundraise throughout the year for the John Radcliffe Children's Hospital.
With local Charities heavily hit by covid-19, Gareth is on a mission to run 100 Miles throughout October to help raise much needed funds for P2G. Mr Tucker will start his challenge on Thursday 1st October, and will look to complete the 100 miles on Friday 30th October, when he is running from Aureus School in Didcot, to Fitzharrys School in Abingdon - where Elite Youth Sports will be holding their half term holiday camps.
The Oxford Children's Hospital holds a special place in Gareth's heart. During the early weeks of his son Jenson's life, they helped support him and his family whilst Jenson recovered from Sepsis - a life threatening condition caused by the body's response to infection.
Gareth commented "Having previously supported fundraising by Play2Give, I was speaking to the founder, Andy Baker, about how we can do more to support the work they do. I saw a post online about running 50 miles in October and decided to really test the boundaries and challenge myself to 100 miles! Hopefully we can help raise additional funds for Andy, and his Charity Play2Give, to go towards the Children's hospital - who do an outstanding job for families from all over the UK".
To complete the challenge, Gareth has to run over 5 Kilometres a day. Gareth also joked the 100 mile run "will help shift some of the post lockdown weight".
Gareth will be keeping a vlog and will be posting daily updates via Elite Youth Sports Social Media pages (Search Elite Youth Sports Ltd). To help support Gareth and Play2Give please click on the following link: https://www.givey.com/eliteyouthsports100milerun
To find out more please contact:
Jennifer Brooks - Operations Manager
07525821978
jennifer@eliteyouthsports.co.uk
Managing Director and Owner of EliteYouthSports.co.uk, Gareth Tucker, is setting out on a quest this October to help raise £1000 for Oxfordshire-based charity Play2Give, who fundraise throughout the year for the John Radcliffe Children's Hospital.
With local Charities heavily hit by covid-19, Gareth is on a mission to run 100 Miles throughout October to help raise much needed funds for P2G. Mr Tucker will start his challenge on Thursday 1st October, and will look to complete the 100 miles on Friday 30th October, when he is running from Aureus School in Didcot, to Fitzharrys School in Abingdon - where Elite Youth Sports will be holding their half term holiday camps.
The Oxford Children's Hospital holds a special place in Gareth's heart. During the early weeks of his son Jenson's life, they helped support him and his family whilst Jenson recovered from Sepsis - a life threatening condition caused by the body's response to infection.
Gareth commented "Having previously supported fundraising by Play2Give, I was speaking to the founder, Andy Baker, about how we can do more to support the work they do. I saw a post online about running 50 miles in October and decided to really test the boundaries and challenge myself to 100 miles! Hopefully we can help raise additional funds for Andy, and his Charity Play2Give, to go towards the Children's hospital - who do an outstanding job for families from all over the UK".
To complete the challenge, Gareth has to run over 5 Kilometres a day. Gareth also joked the 100 mile run "will help shift some of the post lockdown weight".
Gareth will be keeping a vlog and will be posting daily updates via Elite Youth Sports Social Media pages (Search Elite Youth Sports Ltd). To help support Gareth and Play2Give please click on the following link: https://www.givey.com/eliteyouthsports100milerun
To find out more please contact:
Jennifer Brooks - Operations Manager
07525821978
jennifer@eliteyouthsports.co.uk
An elfy dose of generosity as Sleigh2Give launches for a sixth gift giving drive
Release: September 25 2020
£120,000 worth of gifts and thousands receiving cheer joy and smiles, that is the annual Sleigh2Give campaign otherwise known as the festive spin off, of Didcot-based fundraising organisation, Play2Give.
For the past five Christmases, Mr Play2Give, Andrew Baker from the town has spread an elfy cheer, joy and smiles in abundance to children in hospital and others less fortunate across the county through his Christmas gift arm of his organisation.
Launching his sixth annual festive present appeal today, Andrew is gearing up to sprinkle the magic and kindness of Christmas, in an aim to help as many children, families and charities this Christmas with another present drive.
The Thames Valley award winning charity of the year, Play2Give was set up by Andrew in 2007, and earlier this month (September) turned 13 years old.
Over £229,000 has been achieved by the volunteer group since then, with funds raised through a catalogue of local events including football tournaments, fun days, Superhero strolls, spinathons, talent shows and balls amongst many other events. £120,000 through the value of gifts donated making up the incredible total thanks to a dedicated team and passionate community supporters getting behind Andy's inspirational work.
The "Sleigh2Give" drive was created out of an initial one-off spin-off in December 2015, when Andy teamed up with Sainsbury's Didcot employee Lee Crook, to collect and deliver three sacksful of Christmas presents for the children on the wards at the Oxford Children's Hospital.
The stunt was so successful that Andy capitalised on the first appeal's success and fast became a popular and well loved campaign, that last year saw £50,000 worth of Christmas presents given out to children, families and the vulnerable in the community.
To launch this year's appeal in spectacular style, a Superheroes themed fitness bootcamp, in tandem with the Angels Performing Arts and Abingdon-based personal trainer, Sam Brookes, will fly off in Blewbury on Sunday. Andy, who has already had a flurry of support come through from previous campaign donors including the Angels, and he is still as determined to raise as many gifts as possible this year to still help make Christmas for someone less fortunate that little bit more special.
On Sunday around 20 fitness minded people as a sea of Superheroes will take part in a fun, energetic and lively socially-distanced bootcamp in response to the director of the Angels Peforming Arts school, Jennie Featherstone, effort in 'Sober September' as part of this year's present collection.
Former St Birinus School pupil Andy, who has tirelessly been raising money for the Oxford Children's Hospital since the age of 14 amongst other good causes since 2003, always launches the festive drive in September every year.
Earlier this year, he was recognised by the Prime Minister with a prestigious Points of Light award for his services to the community, and in 2017 received a British Citizen Award Medal of Honour for his charitable work.
He collects, delivers and distributes with an army of helpers and volunteers presents to a range of local charities including brain injury centre Headway based in Kennington, Footsteps in Dorchester-on-Thames, the children's wards, neonatal care areas and the family accommodation at the John Radcliffe, amongst young carers in Didcot, families supported by Home-Start and amongst many others all benefiting from the generosity of gift giving.
Despite all of Play2Give's events since March being cancelled due to the Coronavirus, the fundraising team has managed to raise close to £8,000 this year, showing the loyal following of supporters in the community.
Andy, born with a brain injury and who attends the Headway centre twice weekly as part of his ongoing rehabilitation, was initially inspired to fundraise aged 14 for the Children's Hospital, after receiving childhood treatment including brain surgery at the age of 12. Headway, in Kennington, will once again receive gifts, this time in the form of life-size games specifically designated for the new outdoor sensory garden, and arts and crafts items.
Fundraising to give back to medical teams in Oxford who helped to look after and care for him during his childhood was the catalyst for Andy to start out on his fundraising journey. Sleigh2Give continues to be an integral part of Play2Give, year on year growing into a popular festive appeal amongst residents.
Although Coronavirus has impacted the usual delivery of the gift appeal, for example no physical visits to the hospital wards this year, he is still gathering as many presents as possible, even with usual systems running different to normal.
The festive appeal is taking donations of new toys, books, toiletries, vouchers, food, DVDs, games, art and craft, activities and other suitable gift items.
Other beneficaries will include Be Free Young Carers, Footsteps, two branches of Home Start, and for the first time Cradle and Sobell House amongst others. At requests presents will also be given to families struggling and hit hard by the financial crisis of Covid.
Donation points will be appearing across Oxfordshire over the next few weeks, with supermarkets across the county dedicating collection trolleys and many schools, including St Birinus, have already signed up amongst many local businesses.
To find out how to get involved in this year's sixth festive drive or for a full list of donation points, see play2give.org.uk/sleigh2give-6
You can also donate funds, which helps to purchase gifts, at givey.com/sleigh2give
£120,000 worth of gifts and thousands receiving cheer joy and smiles, that is the annual Sleigh2Give campaign otherwise known as the festive spin off, of Didcot-based fundraising organisation, Play2Give.
For the past five Christmases, Mr Play2Give, Andrew Baker from the town has spread an elfy cheer, joy and smiles in abundance to children in hospital and others less fortunate across the county through his Christmas gift arm of his organisation.
Launching his sixth annual festive present appeal today, Andrew is gearing up to sprinkle the magic and kindness of Christmas, in an aim to help as many children, families and charities this Christmas with another present drive.
The Thames Valley award winning charity of the year, Play2Give was set up by Andrew in 2007, and earlier this month (September) turned 13 years old.
Over £229,000 has been achieved by the volunteer group since then, with funds raised through a catalogue of local events including football tournaments, fun days, Superhero strolls, spinathons, talent shows and balls amongst many other events. £120,000 through the value of gifts donated making up the incredible total thanks to a dedicated team and passionate community supporters getting behind Andy's inspirational work.
The "Sleigh2Give" drive was created out of an initial one-off spin-off in December 2015, when Andy teamed up with Sainsbury's Didcot employee Lee Crook, to collect and deliver three sacksful of Christmas presents for the children on the wards at the Oxford Children's Hospital.
The stunt was so successful that Andy capitalised on the first appeal's success and fast became a popular and well loved campaign, that last year saw £50,000 worth of Christmas presents given out to children, families and the vulnerable in the community.
To launch this year's appeal in spectacular style, a Superheroes themed fitness bootcamp, in tandem with the Angels Performing Arts and Abingdon-based personal trainer, Sam Brookes, will fly off in Blewbury on Sunday. Andy, who has already had a flurry of support come through from previous campaign donors including the Angels, and he is still as determined to raise as many gifts as possible this year to still help make Christmas for someone less fortunate that little bit more special.
On Sunday around 20 fitness minded people as a sea of Superheroes will take part in a fun, energetic and lively socially-distanced bootcamp in response to the director of the Angels Peforming Arts school, Jennie Featherstone, effort in 'Sober September' as part of this year's present collection.
Former St Birinus School pupil Andy, who has tirelessly been raising money for the Oxford Children's Hospital since the age of 14 amongst other good causes since 2003, always launches the festive drive in September every year.
Earlier this year, he was recognised by the Prime Minister with a prestigious Points of Light award for his services to the community, and in 2017 received a British Citizen Award Medal of Honour for his charitable work.
He collects, delivers and distributes with an army of helpers and volunteers presents to a range of local charities including brain injury centre Headway based in Kennington, Footsteps in Dorchester-on-Thames, the children's wards, neonatal care areas and the family accommodation at the John Radcliffe, amongst young carers in Didcot, families supported by Home-Start and amongst many others all benefiting from the generosity of gift giving.
Despite all of Play2Give's events since March being cancelled due to the Coronavirus, the fundraising team has managed to raise close to £8,000 this year, showing the loyal following of supporters in the community.
Andy, born with a brain injury and who attends the Headway centre twice weekly as part of his ongoing rehabilitation, was initially inspired to fundraise aged 14 for the Children's Hospital, after receiving childhood treatment including brain surgery at the age of 12. Headway, in Kennington, will once again receive gifts, this time in the form of life-size games specifically designated for the new outdoor sensory garden, and arts and crafts items.
Fundraising to give back to medical teams in Oxford who helped to look after and care for him during his childhood was the catalyst for Andy to start out on his fundraising journey. Sleigh2Give continues to be an integral part of Play2Give, year on year growing into a popular festive appeal amongst residents.
Although Coronavirus has impacted the usual delivery of the gift appeal, for example no physical visits to the hospital wards this year, he is still gathering as many presents as possible, even with usual systems running different to normal.
The festive appeal is taking donations of new toys, books, toiletries, vouchers, food, DVDs, games, art and craft, activities and other suitable gift items.
Other beneficaries will include Be Free Young Carers, Footsteps, two branches of Home Start, and for the first time Cradle and Sobell House amongst others. At requests presents will also be given to families struggling and hit hard by the financial crisis of Covid.
Donation points will be appearing across Oxfordshire over the next few weeks, with supermarkets across the county dedicating collection trolleys and many schools, including St Birinus, have already signed up amongst many local businesses.
To find out how to get involved in this year's sixth festive drive or for a full list of donation points, see play2give.org.uk/sleigh2give-6
You can also donate funds, which helps to purchase gifts, at givey.com/sleigh2give
Play2Give wins token votes in charity scheme
Release: August 24 2020
A Didcot automotive company has revved up a local fundraising organisation to the tune of £250!
Play2Give won the latest token votes scheme through Draycott Engineering, and received a wheely great £250!
On 7 August, Play2Give founder Andy Baker visited the firm's headquarters at Rich's Sidings in Didcot to receive the generous donation from the automotive company.
Play2Give was Draycott Engineering's latest quarterly giveaway winner, and their wonderful donation to vital fundraising work will go to towards supporting young carers in the town via "Be Free Young Carers" which supports the lives and wellbeing of young carers in Oxfordshire.
Andy was a young carer to his mother in his own childhood years, so the link and support for this local charity holds a very personal connection.
Draycott Engineering loves to give back to the local community as part of its corporate social responsibility, and has supported around 42 charities so far with monthly donations of £250.
Play2Give is now around £330 away from reaching a total of £8,000 which has been raised for local good causes so far this year and has raised tens of thousands of pounds over nearly 13 years, supporting a wide variety of causes.
Play2Give turns thirteen in September, and was created by Andy, a former St Birinus School pupil, after being inspired to fundraise following treatment and care received from various Oxford medical teams throughout his childhood.
A Didcot automotive company has revved up a local fundraising organisation to the tune of £250!
Play2Give won the latest token votes scheme through Draycott Engineering, and received a wheely great £250!
On 7 August, Play2Give founder Andy Baker visited the firm's headquarters at Rich's Sidings in Didcot to receive the generous donation from the automotive company.
Play2Give was Draycott Engineering's latest quarterly giveaway winner, and their wonderful donation to vital fundraising work will go to towards supporting young carers in the town via "Be Free Young Carers" which supports the lives and wellbeing of young carers in Oxfordshire.
Andy was a young carer to his mother in his own childhood years, so the link and support for this local charity holds a very personal connection.
Draycott Engineering loves to give back to the local community as part of its corporate social responsibility, and has supported around 42 charities so far with monthly donations of £250.
Play2Give is now around £330 away from reaching a total of £8,000 which has been raised for local good causes so far this year and has raised tens of thousands of pounds over nearly 13 years, supporting a wide variety of causes.
Play2Give turns thirteen in September, and was created by Andy, a former St Birinus School pupil, after being inspired to fundraise following treatment and care received from various Oxford medical teams throughout his childhood.
Food Bank benefits from 200 Easter eggs thanks to big-hearted gym members
Release: April 8 2020
A food bank in Didcot has benefited from warm-hearted gym members.
They may be all about fitness and keeping in shape but keeping exercised and fit doesn't mean they couldn't carry out a kind hearted good deed for others in need.
Members and non-members of Pure Gym in Didcot, which opened last November, donated around 200 Easter treats to bring smiles to children who may otherwise go without.
The Easter Egg drive was in partnership with Didcot fundraising group, Play2Give, which was founded by Andy Baker from the town in 2007.
This was the first year the gym and the fundraising orgsnisation had teamed up to run the Easter Egg Appeal and an eggscellent response was received with a cracking 200 plus eggs and treats donated by the generosity of those who use the gym and from residents who heard about the appeal and wanted to help, which will spread smiles to families in need this Easter.
38 of the eggs were donated around £48 im value by the Tesco Express store in Didcot.
The appeal was originally ran to collect eggs for children in hospital at Oxford Children's Hospital but due to the Coronavirus outbreak and restrictions in place due to the amazing response with 5 large clear sacks of Eggs it was felt that the Didcot Food Bank was a worthy alternative cause.
Pictured are all the eggs. They were delivered last Friday (April 3rd) to the food bank, which is based at the town's Baptist Church, by Andy Baker and gym manager, Hollie Randall, using the social distance rules set out by the government.
Play2Give was founded in September 2007 and over £220,000 has been raised and donated to various local charities including Oxford Children's Hospital since, through events and through Christmas gift giving appeals, otherwise known as Sleigh2Give.
The Didcot based fundraising organisation was named the Charity of the Year at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards ceremony held in Reading in January.
Its founder Andy Baker, who has been fundraising for 18 years, after he was inspired by the childhood treatment he received in Oxford after being born with a brain injury, cut the ribbon to the new Pure Gym Local which opened last November.
The teams are planning more fundraisers together over the coming years.
A food bank in Didcot has benefited from warm-hearted gym members.
They may be all about fitness and keeping in shape but keeping exercised and fit doesn't mean they couldn't carry out a kind hearted good deed for others in need.
Members and non-members of Pure Gym in Didcot, which opened last November, donated around 200 Easter treats to bring smiles to children who may otherwise go without.
The Easter Egg drive was in partnership with Didcot fundraising group, Play2Give, which was founded by Andy Baker from the town in 2007.
This was the first year the gym and the fundraising orgsnisation had teamed up to run the Easter Egg Appeal and an eggscellent response was received with a cracking 200 plus eggs and treats donated by the generosity of those who use the gym and from residents who heard about the appeal and wanted to help, which will spread smiles to families in need this Easter.
38 of the eggs were donated around £48 im value by the Tesco Express store in Didcot.
The appeal was originally ran to collect eggs for children in hospital at Oxford Children's Hospital but due to the Coronavirus outbreak and restrictions in place due to the amazing response with 5 large clear sacks of Eggs it was felt that the Didcot Food Bank was a worthy alternative cause.
Pictured are all the eggs. They were delivered last Friday (April 3rd) to the food bank, which is based at the town's Baptist Church, by Andy Baker and gym manager, Hollie Randall, using the social distance rules set out by the government.
Play2Give was founded in September 2007 and over £220,000 has been raised and donated to various local charities including Oxford Children's Hospital since, through events and through Christmas gift giving appeals, otherwise known as Sleigh2Give.
The Didcot based fundraising organisation was named the Charity of the Year at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards ceremony held in Reading in January.
Its founder Andy Baker, who has been fundraising for 18 years, after he was inspired by the childhood treatment he received in Oxford after being born with a brain injury, cut the ribbon to the new Pure Gym Local which opened last November.
The teams are planning more fundraisers together over the coming years.
Play2Give is crowned Charity of the Year in the Thames Valley region
Release: March 16 2020
Didcot based Play2Give has been named the region's charity of the year!
In January, the Oxfordshire fundraising organisation which was founded in September 2007 was crowned the winner of the 'Charity of the Year' for the Thames Valley at the GB Expo's latest Thames Valley Business and Community Awards, at a glittering ceremony held at the Hilton at Reading at the end of January.
Andy attended the occasion on behalf of the group of volunteers, and accepted the award paying tribute to 'his team' that made it's success possible.
Play2Give beat off stiff competition amongst other charities including many bigger regional charities within Berkshire and Slough.
Play2Give has donated over £220,000 to many local charities including Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire raised through many events and gift appeals since its creation.
The group was set up by Andy Baker from Didcot. Andy, 31, was inspired to 'give back' to thank medics who treated him throughout childhood after being born with a brain injury, and underwent brain surgery aged 12.
In 2019 funds of over £15,000 was raised for causes around the county, with over £4,530 given to the Oxford Children's Hospital. While around, around £70,000 raised in Christmas presents was given out to through Play2Give's fifth and biggest 'Sleigh2Give' festive drive.
Play2Give began life as a football tournament for charity, and over the years many events and fundraising stalls in the local community have been held, and a team of caped crusaders formed early last year to become 'superheroes' to help increase the funds and the profile of the organisation.
This year events set to take place include the return of its 7 a side football tournament at Oxford City Football Club in July, its first ever Superheroes themed Colour Run in partnership with the Style Acre charity, in June, and the Didcot Summer Fayre on August 1st.
In 2017, in honour of their incredible achievements, a room named after the group was officially unveiled on the Melanie's teenage ward at the Oxford Children's Hospital, after the group raised more than £40,000 to fund the single patient room.
In total the Oxford Children's Hospital alone has benefited from nearly £65,000 in funds raised over the past 12 years from a wide range of fundraising endeavours, with £12,000 in Play2Give's milestone tenth year funding cutting edge bedside monitors amongst other medical equipment, toys, games and towards new family accommodation.
Whilst in the same year the group raised £7,000 to fund six specialised neurological physiotherapy exercise chairs at Headway Oxfordshire's base in Kennington, as part of a £30,000 neuro physiotherapy suite that opened that year.
Founder Andrew Baker set out fundraising 18 years ago aged 14 to repay the 'gift of life' to medical teams who helped him throughout his childhood after sustaining a brain injury during birth. In January Andy was recognised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a prestigious 'Points of Light' Award, presented to him at Parliament by Wantage and Didcot MP, David Johnston.
Didcot based Play2Give has been named the region's charity of the year!
In January, the Oxfordshire fundraising organisation which was founded in September 2007 was crowned the winner of the 'Charity of the Year' for the Thames Valley at the GB Expo's latest Thames Valley Business and Community Awards, at a glittering ceremony held at the Hilton at Reading at the end of January.
Andy attended the occasion on behalf of the group of volunteers, and accepted the award paying tribute to 'his team' that made it's success possible.
Play2Give beat off stiff competition amongst other charities including many bigger regional charities within Berkshire and Slough.
Play2Give has donated over £220,000 to many local charities including Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire raised through many events and gift appeals since its creation.
The group was set up by Andy Baker from Didcot. Andy, 31, was inspired to 'give back' to thank medics who treated him throughout childhood after being born with a brain injury, and underwent brain surgery aged 12.
In 2019 funds of over £15,000 was raised for causes around the county, with over £4,530 given to the Oxford Children's Hospital. While around, around £70,000 raised in Christmas presents was given out to through Play2Give's fifth and biggest 'Sleigh2Give' festive drive.
Play2Give began life as a football tournament for charity, and over the years many events and fundraising stalls in the local community have been held, and a team of caped crusaders formed early last year to become 'superheroes' to help increase the funds and the profile of the organisation.
This year events set to take place include the return of its 7 a side football tournament at Oxford City Football Club in July, its first ever Superheroes themed Colour Run in partnership with the Style Acre charity, in June, and the Didcot Summer Fayre on August 1st.
In 2017, in honour of their incredible achievements, a room named after the group was officially unveiled on the Melanie's teenage ward at the Oxford Children's Hospital, after the group raised more than £40,000 to fund the single patient room.
In total the Oxford Children's Hospital alone has benefited from nearly £65,000 in funds raised over the past 12 years from a wide range of fundraising endeavours, with £12,000 in Play2Give's milestone tenth year funding cutting edge bedside monitors amongst other medical equipment, toys, games and towards new family accommodation.
Whilst in the same year the group raised £7,000 to fund six specialised neurological physiotherapy exercise chairs at Headway Oxfordshire's base in Kennington, as part of a £30,000 neuro physiotherapy suite that opened that year.
Founder Andrew Baker set out fundraising 18 years ago aged 14 to repay the 'gift of life' to medical teams who helped him throughout his childhood after sustaining a brain injury during birth. In January Andy was recognised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a prestigious 'Points of Light' Award, presented to him at Parliament by Wantage and Didcot MP, David Johnston.
Fundraising group Play2Give raise over £4,530 for Oxford Children's Hospital
Release: March 15 2020
A group of real life superheroes are celebrating after raising over £4,500 for the county's youngest hospital patients.
The Didcot based fundraising organisation, Play2Give, lead and founded by Andrew Baker, 31 raised over £15,000 for local charities throughout 2019, including £4,530 for the Oxford Children's Hospital.
£70,000 worth of gifts last Christmas was also raised and donated out to a wide number of children families and vulnerable adults less fortunate.
The funds for the children's hospital were raised through a manner of ways. A group of caped crusaders walked and scooted in 12 hours from Didcot to the hospital last September raising £580 through public donations along the way, the heroes got a soaking in the stocks at public events in Didcot including the town's summer fayre. Whilst Andrew assembled his largest ever team to take on the five-mile OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace last March, and raffles, tombolas and a day of table top and board gaming fun were also held. Funds also came through class-athlons, charity yoga sessions and more.
Andy, a former children's hospital patient, set up Play2Give and with his army of volunteers and supporters has raised over £220,000 for the hospital and other local causes over 18 years.
He was initially inspired to help fundraise for the hospital, on the John Radcliffe site, after being born with a brain injury and undergoing brain surgery at the age of 12, in 2001. He began fundraising aged 14 at St Birinus School in Didcot to help build the children's hospital, which opened in January 2007.
Speaking about the group's latest support, Joseph Baker of the Oxford Children's Hospital Charity, said: 'A great big thank you to all those involved in Play2Give, helping raise an amazing amount for Oxford Children's Hospital Charity. Your support means we can help fund the latest medical equipment, make the hospital bright and comfortable and fill the hospital with lots of fun things to do for our young patients.'
In December toys and presents were handed out on the wards as part of the group's annual 'Sleigh2Give' campaign, and they are currently collecting donations of Easter eggs with the Pure Gym in Didcot as part of an Easter egg appeal, which will be given out to the young patients next month.
Play2Give in early 2017 named a single patient room on the teenage ward within the children's hospital after funding the room on Melanie's Ward at £40,000 over many years raised through football tournaments, whilst half of £12,000 raised in the group's tenth year of fundraising went towards cutting edge monitors for every child's bed, as well as new parent accommodation, due to open in May.
The remaining £10,000 plus the organisation raised last year was donated out to Ronald McDonald House at the hospital, which provides free 'home away from home' accommodation to families staying at the hospital, Headway Oxfordshire in Kennington, Footsteps based in Dorchester-on-Thames, music therapy charity Soundabout and other local causes.
Andy's work was recognised by the Prime Minister in January with a prestigious 'Points of Light' Award and Play2Give was honoured with the 'Charity of the Year' for the Thames Valley region in late January at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards.
For more information about Play2Give or to make a donation or to volunteer, visit play2give.org.uk
A group of real life superheroes are celebrating after raising over £4,500 for the county's youngest hospital patients.
The Didcot based fundraising organisation, Play2Give, lead and founded by Andrew Baker, 31 raised over £15,000 for local charities throughout 2019, including £4,530 for the Oxford Children's Hospital.
£70,000 worth of gifts last Christmas was also raised and donated out to a wide number of children families and vulnerable adults less fortunate.
The funds for the children's hospital were raised through a manner of ways. A group of caped crusaders walked and scooted in 12 hours from Didcot to the hospital last September raising £580 through public donations along the way, the heroes got a soaking in the stocks at public events in Didcot including the town's summer fayre. Whilst Andrew assembled his largest ever team to take on the five-mile OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace last March, and raffles, tombolas and a day of table top and board gaming fun were also held. Funds also came through class-athlons, charity yoga sessions and more.
Andy, a former children's hospital patient, set up Play2Give and with his army of volunteers and supporters has raised over £220,000 for the hospital and other local causes over 18 years.
He was initially inspired to help fundraise for the hospital, on the John Radcliffe site, after being born with a brain injury and undergoing brain surgery at the age of 12, in 2001. He began fundraising aged 14 at St Birinus School in Didcot to help build the children's hospital, which opened in January 2007.
Speaking about the group's latest support, Joseph Baker of the Oxford Children's Hospital Charity, said: 'A great big thank you to all those involved in Play2Give, helping raise an amazing amount for Oxford Children's Hospital Charity. Your support means we can help fund the latest medical equipment, make the hospital bright and comfortable and fill the hospital with lots of fun things to do for our young patients.'
In December toys and presents were handed out on the wards as part of the group's annual 'Sleigh2Give' campaign, and they are currently collecting donations of Easter eggs with the Pure Gym in Didcot as part of an Easter egg appeal, which will be given out to the young patients next month.
Play2Give in early 2017 named a single patient room on the teenage ward within the children's hospital after funding the room on Melanie's Ward at £40,000 over many years raised through football tournaments, whilst half of £12,000 raised in the group's tenth year of fundraising went towards cutting edge monitors for every child's bed, as well as new parent accommodation, due to open in May.
The remaining £10,000 plus the organisation raised last year was donated out to Ronald McDonald House at the hospital, which provides free 'home away from home' accommodation to families staying at the hospital, Headway Oxfordshire in Kennington, Footsteps based in Dorchester-on-Thames, music therapy charity Soundabout and other local causes.
Andy's work was recognised by the Prime Minister in January with a prestigious 'Points of Light' Award and Play2Give was honoured with the 'Charity of the Year' for the Thames Valley region in late January at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards.
For more information about Play2Give or to make a donation or to volunteer, visit play2give.org.uk
Award-winning charity's football tournament returns to score goals in one
Release: February 5 2020
An award winning charity of the year is bringing back the event that made it famous.
After a 2 year absence, Play2Give's football tournament is getting ready to kick off and shoot three goals in one this summer. And, now it is calling on Oxfordshire's help to make it a successful match of the day.
Didcot-based fundraising organisation, Play2Give, recently awarded 'Charity of the Year' at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards at the end of January, was born in September 2007. In over 12 years over £220,000 has been netted in through fundraising events and Christmas gift appeals.
Tens of thousands of countless lives have been changed transformed and saved across the county, including young hospital patients and their families and brain injury survivors have been amongst many others to benefit from the inspirational work of the Didcot-based group.
From funding a single patient room in its name on the Oxford Children's Hospital's teenage Melanie's Ward, to helping fund six specialist neuro-exercise chairs at Headway Oxfordshire, through to raising over £5,000 for a family room at Ronald McDonald House, to life-changing medical equipment at the children’s hospital and more Play2Give continues to make a significant impact to lives across the county.
Play2Give, created by the town's Andrew Baker in 2007, was born out of the concept of a single football tournament which, after a resounding success in its first year, has seen the organisation grow, with a wide number of events and campaigns such as its annual 'Sleigh2Give' drive gaining momentum each year.
Play2Give is getting ready to kick off its 7 a side tournament on Sunday July 19th at Oxford City Football Club, which will also see a family fun element on side. The event is being organised in partnership with Partyman World in Oxford.
Over the years Play2Give's football contests have generated nearly £40,000 alone for many local charities.
In partnership with Partyman World, it is hoped up to 32 teams will take to the pitches and help score a superb sum, for the Headway Oxfordshire brain injury centre based in Kennington, which Andrew continues to attend twice weekly for support and rehabilitation for the brain injury he lives with, the Ronald McDonald House at the John Radcliffe and the Magic Makers charity.
Entries are now open to all businesses, individuals and budding footballers aged 14 and over alike, at £35 per team.
It is hoped thousands of pounds will be raised, which in the past has seen various companies alongside local radio stations, youth teams and even journalists take part. Over the years hundreds of players have taken part to make a difference to others through the beautiful game.
Funds raised at the tenth anniversary Play2Give tournament went towards medical equipment including bedside monitors at Oxford Children's Hospital, and funding the new parent accommodation, which is due to open this May.
To take part, or to sponsor the event, see play2give.org.uk or email play2give@hotmail com
An award winning charity of the year is bringing back the event that made it famous.
After a 2 year absence, Play2Give's football tournament is getting ready to kick off and shoot three goals in one this summer. And, now it is calling on Oxfordshire's help to make it a successful match of the day.
Didcot-based fundraising organisation, Play2Give, recently awarded 'Charity of the Year' at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards at the end of January, was born in September 2007. In over 12 years over £220,000 has been netted in through fundraising events and Christmas gift appeals.
Tens of thousands of countless lives have been changed transformed and saved across the county, including young hospital patients and their families and brain injury survivors have been amongst many others to benefit from the inspirational work of the Didcot-based group.
From funding a single patient room in its name on the Oxford Children's Hospital's teenage Melanie's Ward, to helping fund six specialist neuro-exercise chairs at Headway Oxfordshire, through to raising over £5,000 for a family room at Ronald McDonald House, to life-changing medical equipment at the children’s hospital and more Play2Give continues to make a significant impact to lives across the county.
Play2Give, created by the town's Andrew Baker in 2007, was born out of the concept of a single football tournament which, after a resounding success in its first year, has seen the organisation grow, with a wide number of events and campaigns such as its annual 'Sleigh2Give' drive gaining momentum each year.
Play2Give is getting ready to kick off its 7 a side tournament on Sunday July 19th at Oxford City Football Club, which will also see a family fun element on side. The event is being organised in partnership with Partyman World in Oxford.
Over the years Play2Give's football contests have generated nearly £40,000 alone for many local charities.
In partnership with Partyman World, it is hoped up to 32 teams will take to the pitches and help score a superb sum, for the Headway Oxfordshire brain injury centre based in Kennington, which Andrew continues to attend twice weekly for support and rehabilitation for the brain injury he lives with, the Ronald McDonald House at the John Radcliffe and the Magic Makers charity.
Entries are now open to all businesses, individuals and budding footballers aged 14 and over alike, at £35 per team.
It is hoped thousands of pounds will be raised, which in the past has seen various companies alongside local radio stations, youth teams and even journalists take part. Over the years hundreds of players have taken part to make a difference to others through the beautiful game.
Funds raised at the tenth anniversary Play2Give tournament went towards medical equipment including bedside monitors at Oxford Children's Hospital, and funding the new parent accommodation, which is due to open this May.
To take part, or to sponsor the event, see play2give.org.uk or email play2give@hotmail com
Oxfordshire fundraising group scoops highly coveted Charity of the Year gong
Release: February 3 2020
An Oxfordshire fundraising organisation that has been changing transforming and saving lives across Oxfordshire for over twelve years has scooped a highly coveted award.
Didcot-based Play2Give, which was set up by a young entrepreneur with a brain injury, recently won the 'Charity of the Year' gong at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards.
The swish award ceremony was held at the Hilton hotel in Reading at the end of January. These annual awards recognises and celebrates the best businesses, charities and individuals the region has to offer, and 12-year-old Play2Give beat stiff competition from other charities, to be named the 'best of the pack' in the Thames Valley region.
Guests enjoyed a sumptuous 3-course meal while being entertained by one of Europe's best Tina Turner impersonators, Tiny Tina Turner and her six-piece band.
Radio presenter and business advisor Mary Flavelle was the awards hostess. Mary is the founder of one of the UK's biggest women networking groups. Guests were motivated by an inspiring keynote speech from British Gold Olympian Naomi Riches MBE.
The evening also raise money for several charities through games, an auction and a raffle.
Founder of Play2Give, Andrew Baker BCAv from Didcot who created the organisation in September 2007, said: "It was a total surprise and a shock for Play2Give to win this very prestigious award, as we was in amongst such amazing and far bigger charities and as a group made up of just volunteers, for Play2Give to receive such a coveted award like this, the first in our 12-year history, is very special indeed.
He added: "This is a great tribute to the amazing team of volunteers who help me make Play2Give the success that it is, but also serves as a way to recognise the 'thanks' of the local community and all supporters, as we can only do what we do across Oxfordshire, thanks to the amazing and loyal support we continue to receive.
He continued: "This will help Play2Give massively and help increase our profile and awareness, and this award is a great way to show that our tireless work to make a massive difference to thousands of lives locally each year really is valued for all the good we do. We cannot the judges enough."
Andy was inspired to form Play2Give in 2007, after childhood treatment he received. He was born with a brain injury 31 years ago, and underwent brain surgery aged 12. In 2003 aged 14, Andy began fundraising for the Oxford Children's Hospital whilst a St Birinus School, Didcot pupil, before creating Play2Give as an initial one-off football tournament.
Over £220,000 has since been raised by the organisation through events and through Christmas gift appeals. Its festive spin-off, 'Sleigh2Give' celebrated its record breaking gift appeal last year, with £50k worth of presents donated to local charities and local children in need.
The Thames Valley Business and Community Awards judging process saw a range of esteemed entrepreneurs come together to scrutinise finalists and select the shortlisted nominees from nearly 500 nominations and the winners among them.
Due to the high standard of entrants, a record 165 nominations was shortlisted across the awards categories.
Judges included serial South West Entrepreneur James Phipps, property tycoon Roslyn Bell, Christina Briggs and Tina Fincham. Jackie Chappell, the 1st Woman CEO of British Rail, was also part of the judging process.
Alec Jones-Hall, director of the awards, said: "We are proud and excited to have celebrated tonight the very best outstanding achievement across the region and rewarding those who are making a huge impact throughout the Thames Valley. We are delighted that these Awards have raised thousands of pounds for charity. The business community came together, not only to celebrate the accomplishments of those shortlisted and the deserving winners but also to give back to the community."
Play2Give's founder Andrew was recently honoured with a prestigious 'Points of Light' award from the prime minister, and was given a British Citizen Award in 2017. The group are busy organising this year's Summer Fayre in Didcot, its latest football tournament in July and other events including a race night later in the year.
An Oxfordshire fundraising organisation that has been changing transforming and saving lives across Oxfordshire for over twelve years has scooped a highly coveted award.
Didcot-based Play2Give, which was set up by a young entrepreneur with a brain injury, recently won the 'Charity of the Year' gong at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards.
The swish award ceremony was held at the Hilton hotel in Reading at the end of January. These annual awards recognises and celebrates the best businesses, charities and individuals the region has to offer, and 12-year-old Play2Give beat stiff competition from other charities, to be named the 'best of the pack' in the Thames Valley region.
Guests enjoyed a sumptuous 3-course meal while being entertained by one of Europe's best Tina Turner impersonators, Tiny Tina Turner and her six-piece band.
Radio presenter and business advisor Mary Flavelle was the awards hostess. Mary is the founder of one of the UK's biggest women networking groups. Guests were motivated by an inspiring keynote speech from British Gold Olympian Naomi Riches MBE.
The evening also raise money for several charities through games, an auction and a raffle.
Founder of Play2Give, Andrew Baker BCAv from Didcot who created the organisation in September 2007, said: "It was a total surprise and a shock for Play2Give to win this very prestigious award, as we was in amongst such amazing and far bigger charities and as a group made up of just volunteers, for Play2Give to receive such a coveted award like this, the first in our 12-year history, is very special indeed.
He added: "This is a great tribute to the amazing team of volunteers who help me make Play2Give the success that it is, but also serves as a way to recognise the 'thanks' of the local community and all supporters, as we can only do what we do across Oxfordshire, thanks to the amazing and loyal support we continue to receive.
He continued: "This will help Play2Give massively and help increase our profile and awareness, and this award is a great way to show that our tireless work to make a massive difference to thousands of lives locally each year really is valued for all the good we do. We cannot the judges enough."
Andy was inspired to form Play2Give in 2007, after childhood treatment he received. He was born with a brain injury 31 years ago, and underwent brain surgery aged 12. In 2003 aged 14, Andy began fundraising for the Oxford Children's Hospital whilst a St Birinus School, Didcot pupil, before creating Play2Give as an initial one-off football tournament.
Over £220,000 has since been raised by the organisation through events and through Christmas gift appeals. Its festive spin-off, 'Sleigh2Give' celebrated its record breaking gift appeal last year, with £50k worth of presents donated to local charities and local children in need.
The Thames Valley Business and Community Awards judging process saw a range of esteemed entrepreneurs come together to scrutinise finalists and select the shortlisted nominees from nearly 500 nominations and the winners among them.
Due to the high standard of entrants, a record 165 nominations was shortlisted across the awards categories.
Judges included serial South West Entrepreneur James Phipps, property tycoon Roslyn Bell, Christina Briggs and Tina Fincham. Jackie Chappell, the 1st Woman CEO of British Rail, was also part of the judging process.
Alec Jones-Hall, director of the awards, said: "We are proud and excited to have celebrated tonight the very best outstanding achievement across the region and rewarding those who are making a huge impact throughout the Thames Valley. We are delighted that these Awards have raised thousands of pounds for charity. The business community came together, not only to celebrate the accomplishments of those shortlisted and the deserving winners but also to give back to the community."
Play2Give's founder Andrew was recently honoured with a prestigious 'Points of Light' award from the prime minister, and was given a British Citizen Award in 2017. The group are busy organising this year's Summer Fayre in Didcot, its latest football tournament in July and other events including a race night later in the year.
Prime Minister awards outstanding Didcot charity founder
Release: January 3 2020
Under Embargo Until 03.01.20
The Prime Minister has today, 3 January, recognised Andrew Baker, from Didcot, for his exceptional service founding his organisation ‘Play2Give’ which has raised over £220,000 for local causes throughout Oxfordshire.
Born with a brain injury, Andrew underwent surgery as a child at Oxford Children’s Hospital. Inspired by the hospital care and treatment he received, he began fundraising aged 14 for Oxford Children’s Hospital in 2003, firstly as a St Birinus Schoolboy through to a football charity tournament which kick-started his organisation. In 2007 aged 19 he founded ‘Play2Give’ as a charity to further transform and change lives throughout Oxfordshire. In late 2016, Andrew succeeded in raising £40,000 for The Play2Give Room – a single patient room for teenage patients at Oxford Children’s Hospital; and he has since continued to actively fundraise for children, health and disability charities through a wide number of events, despite living with a brain injury. In 2017 he received a 'British Citizen Award' and has since become an Ambassador for them. More recently he was a regional runner-up in the ITV Meridian region as a Finalist for the 'ITV Fundraiser Pride of Britain' Award. His organisation continues to grow, with over 30 volunteers supporting his charitable giving.
Andrew is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
In a personal letter to Andrew, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how your fundraising over the past 17 years, in tribute to the treatment you received as a child born with a brain injury, has transformed services at Oxford Children’s Hospital and supported causes throughout the county.”
David Johnston OBE MP, Andrew's local MP for Wantage said:
"I'm delighted that Andrew Baker's hard work on behalf of many local charities has been recognised. Andrew is an inspiring example of someone who refused to let a disadvantage they were born with hold them back and he has worked tirelessly to give back to his local community, achieving more already than most of us will. It is wonderful that his work has been recognised by the Prime Minister in this way."
Andrew said:
“I feel incredibly honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Prime Minister to receive the Points of Light award. It is a true pleasure. Giving back and helping others means a lot to me, for all the care and treatment I have received, it is my way to repay the gift of life so that others less fortunate can benefit. I have worked tirelessly for 18 years to help others and ‘Play2Give’, which I have proudly founded, has continued to grow, changing and saving countless numbers of people's lives in many ways. I would like to stress that to me this recognition is a 'team effort'. I would like to dedicate this award to the incredible team of volunteers whom I am lucky to work with and that make Play2Give the continued success that it is. I couldn't do what I do without my team and of course without the fantastic supporters within the community who engage with my fundraising so well. This is a perfect way to honour them all and I wholeheartedly thank the Prime Minister for the recognition of such a special honour."
Andrew is the 1290th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have
publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar crossparty approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards.
Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.
Notes to Editors
Under Embargo Until 03.01.20
The Prime Minister has today, 3 January, recognised Andrew Baker, from Didcot, for his exceptional service founding his organisation ‘Play2Give’ which has raised over £220,000 for local causes throughout Oxfordshire.
Born with a brain injury, Andrew underwent surgery as a child at Oxford Children’s Hospital. Inspired by the hospital care and treatment he received, he began fundraising aged 14 for Oxford Children’s Hospital in 2003, firstly as a St Birinus Schoolboy through to a football charity tournament which kick-started his organisation. In 2007 aged 19 he founded ‘Play2Give’ as a charity to further transform and change lives throughout Oxfordshire. In late 2016, Andrew succeeded in raising £40,000 for The Play2Give Room – a single patient room for teenage patients at Oxford Children’s Hospital; and he has since continued to actively fundraise for children, health and disability charities through a wide number of events, despite living with a brain injury. In 2017 he received a 'British Citizen Award' and has since become an Ambassador for them. More recently he was a regional runner-up in the ITV Meridian region as a Finalist for the 'ITV Fundraiser Pride of Britain' Award. His organisation continues to grow, with over 30 volunteers supporting his charitable giving.
Andrew is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
In a personal letter to Andrew, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how your fundraising over the past 17 years, in tribute to the treatment you received as a child born with a brain injury, has transformed services at Oxford Children’s Hospital and supported causes throughout the county.”
David Johnston OBE MP, Andrew's local MP for Wantage said:
"I'm delighted that Andrew Baker's hard work on behalf of many local charities has been recognised. Andrew is an inspiring example of someone who refused to let a disadvantage they were born with hold them back and he has worked tirelessly to give back to his local community, achieving more already than most of us will. It is wonderful that his work has been recognised by the Prime Minister in this way."
Andrew said:
“I feel incredibly honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Prime Minister to receive the Points of Light award. It is a true pleasure. Giving back and helping others means a lot to me, for all the care and treatment I have received, it is my way to repay the gift of life so that others less fortunate can benefit. I have worked tirelessly for 18 years to help others and ‘Play2Give’, which I have proudly founded, has continued to grow, changing and saving countless numbers of people's lives in many ways. I would like to stress that to me this recognition is a 'team effort'. I would like to dedicate this award to the incredible team of volunteers whom I am lucky to work with and that make Play2Give the continued success that it is. I couldn't do what I do without my team and of course without the fantastic supporters within the community who engage with my fundraising so well. This is a perfect way to honour them all and I wholeheartedly thank the Prime Minister for the recognition of such a special honour."
Andrew is the 1290th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have
publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar crossparty approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards.
Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.
Notes to Editors
- 1. The Points of Light awards recognise outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.
- The Prime Minister makes daily announcements of the winners to celebrate, encourage and promote volunteering and the value that it brings to the country.
- If people know someone who could be a Point of Light they should write to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.
- Website: www.pointsoflight.gov.uk
Class-Athletes get ready to run, shake, lift, jump and sweat for charity
Release: October 17 2019
A six-hour long exercise challenge is set to raise hundreds of pounds for Play2Give this Saturday whilst getting participants working up a good sweat.
UTC Oxfordshire Sport on Great Western Park in Didcot is hosting its first ever Class-Athlon in its bid to stretch funds for the Didcot-based fundraising organisation.
The gym, which has long supported the fundraisers, its hosting the six-hour long fitness classes endurance event at its base within the UTC campus between 9am and 3pm on Saturday (October 19th).
Participants and the most hardy of athletes as well as the more laid back folk can take part aged 16 and over. Open to non members as well, the challenge is open to a donation of £20 per person to take part in as many of the range of classes as they wish.
Classes for people to get in a pump to will range from dance to u-circuits, u-core, u-balance, u-pump, u-box, stretch and tone amongst more.
Sign up in advance at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/class-athlon-2019-tickets-71735750561 or turn up and pay on the day.
Sports massage, food and drink will also be on offer for donations.
A six-hour long exercise challenge is set to raise hundreds of pounds for Play2Give this Saturday whilst getting participants working up a good sweat.
UTC Oxfordshire Sport on Great Western Park in Didcot is hosting its first ever Class-Athlon in its bid to stretch funds for the Didcot-based fundraising organisation.
The gym, which has long supported the fundraisers, its hosting the six-hour long fitness classes endurance event at its base within the UTC campus between 9am and 3pm on Saturday (October 19th).
Participants and the most hardy of athletes as well as the more laid back folk can take part aged 16 and over. Open to non members as well, the challenge is open to a donation of £20 per person to take part in as many of the range of classes as they wish.
Classes for people to get in a pump to will range from dance to u-circuits, u-core, u-balance, u-pump, u-box, stretch and tone amongst more.
Sign up in advance at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/class-athlon-2019-tickets-71735750561 or turn up and pay on the day.
Sports massage, food and drink will also be on offer for donations.
Play2Give turns twelve with two ambitious targets
Release: September 6 2019
A fundraising organisation which has been changing, transforming and saving lives for twelve years has set its sights on two ambitious goals.
Didcot-based Play2Give, which this month turns 12 years old helps local charities including Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire, amongst other good causes and people in need.
The organisation, set up by Andy Baker from the town, has given over £165,000 through events such as talent shows, football tournaments and fun days and campaigns such as annual gift appeals, making a real impact to tens of thousands of life.
In 2017 its impact to the Children's Hospital was so significant that a patient room for teenagers named after the organisation at over £40,000 was opened. And later that year
saw a neurological physiotherapy gym open at Headway Oxfordshire's base in Kennington. Play2Give funded 7 specialised exercise chairs at £7,000 for the specialist gym for adults with brain injuries, like Andy who has been a service user under Headway for over seven years.
Now the organisation headed by Andy is hoping to raise enough funds to see a sensory rehabilitation garden at the brain injury Headway centre become a reality and has kick started the garden project with a donation of over £505 through various recent fundraising endeavours including the 'Superheroes' a group of caped crusaders who came together earlier this year to support Andy's fundraising efforts and help Play2Give increase its funds and awareness.
Play2Give also hopes to raise £5,000 to sponsor a family room in the Ronald McDonald House at the John Radcliffe and with just three months to go until the end of this year they are now less than £1,000 away from reaching this very special goal.
Already through various fundraising evsnts including rock and roll Bingo nights, tombolas, quiz nights, cakes sales, a Summer Fayre and other endeavours, Andy's organisation has helped ensure a room for 147 nights to families staying within the facility has been provided. It costs the Ronald McDonald House which provides free 'home away from home' accommodation to families of sick children in the John Radcliffe £25 a night to keep a family accommodated in a room.
Andy, or 'Mr Play2Give' as he is also known, set up his organisation on 13th September 2007 initially through a football tournament which became famed across the county for charity particularly in raising funds for the Oxford Children's Hospital, after he was inspired to give back to the hospital and other local good causes including Headway after being born with a brain injury, and receiving years of 'wonderful' care and treatment in his childhood including brain surgery he endured aged 12.
He was pivotal in the original fundraising campaign to build the Children's hospital when his fundraising efforts to 'repay' medics and nurses in his passion to raise money towards seeing the hospital, which opened in 2007, open began aged 14 in 2003 in which £1,000 from a non school uniform day at St Birinus School turned into over £175,000 he has now achieved both through events and through the value of gifts that his charity has donated through festive appeals, over the past 17 years.
In July 2017 Andy received an esteemed British Citizen Award for which he has now gone on to become an official ambassador to advocate for these national awards and was invited to Her Majesty The Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace on his 30th birthday last year, in recognition of his tireless charitable work.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Andy is now busy organising many more fundraising events which over the next year will see Play2Give continue to raise money for local good causes, with a particular focus on raising funds towards the new sensory rehabilitation garden at Headway's base, its final sprint to raise the final few hundred of pounds for the family room at Ronald McDonald House and from next year being wider involved in the House's crucial fundraising exercise, as well as continuing to help awareness and raise funds for its many other local causes.
The Superheroes will carry out a number of 'big' challenges 'by foot' over the coming year including a superheroic 19-mile walk from Didcot to the Children's Hospital on Saturday, September 28th through passing towns and villages such as Abingdon, Radley and Kennington on route, through to plans for a Superheroes fun day and run at Boundary Park in Didcot next year, and continuing to soak up the atmosphere literally at public events such as Harwell feast and next year's Didcot Summer Fayre by the caped crusaders being 'splat' in the stocks.
The organisation holds it second sell-out black-tie Ball with a masquerade theme at the end of this month at Didcot Civic Hall, and later this month sees the launch of their fifth annual "Sleigh2Give" appeal, which is Andy's annual festive appeal which each year aims to spread cheer, joy and smiles to those less fortunate, through gifts raised. Last year's "Sleigh2Give" was the biggest on record with an estimated £30,000 worth of presents given out to children in hospital, young carers and underprivileged families in South Oxfordshire.
A Fitness Class-Athlon is being held by UTC Oxfordshire Sport on October 19th, and a 'Heroes and Villains' party will be held at Partyman World in Oxford on Saturday, October 26th to top up the charity pot, with other events, including 'Gweeplefest 2' at Harwell village hall in late November.
Next Summer will see the return of its football tournament in association with the Partyman Magic Makers charity.
For more information about Play2Give and any of its upcoming fundraising events, or to donate, see play2give.org.uk or search Play2Give on social media.
A fundraising organisation which has been changing, transforming and saving lives for twelve years has set its sights on two ambitious goals.
Didcot-based Play2Give, which this month turns 12 years old helps local charities including Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire, amongst other good causes and people in need.
The organisation, set up by Andy Baker from the town, has given over £165,000 through events such as talent shows, football tournaments and fun days and campaigns such as annual gift appeals, making a real impact to tens of thousands of life.
In 2017 its impact to the Children's Hospital was so significant that a patient room for teenagers named after the organisation at over £40,000 was opened. And later that year
saw a neurological physiotherapy gym open at Headway Oxfordshire's base in Kennington. Play2Give funded 7 specialised exercise chairs at £7,000 for the specialist gym for adults with brain injuries, like Andy who has been a service user under Headway for over seven years.
Now the organisation headed by Andy is hoping to raise enough funds to see a sensory rehabilitation garden at the brain injury Headway centre become a reality and has kick started the garden project with a donation of over £505 through various recent fundraising endeavours including the 'Superheroes' a group of caped crusaders who came together earlier this year to support Andy's fundraising efforts and help Play2Give increase its funds and awareness.
Play2Give also hopes to raise £5,000 to sponsor a family room in the Ronald McDonald House at the John Radcliffe and with just three months to go until the end of this year they are now less than £1,000 away from reaching this very special goal.
Already through various fundraising evsnts including rock and roll Bingo nights, tombolas, quiz nights, cakes sales, a Summer Fayre and other endeavours, Andy's organisation has helped ensure a room for 147 nights to families staying within the facility has been provided. It costs the Ronald McDonald House which provides free 'home away from home' accommodation to families of sick children in the John Radcliffe £25 a night to keep a family accommodated in a room.
Andy, or 'Mr Play2Give' as he is also known, set up his organisation on 13th September 2007 initially through a football tournament which became famed across the county for charity particularly in raising funds for the Oxford Children's Hospital, after he was inspired to give back to the hospital and other local good causes including Headway after being born with a brain injury, and receiving years of 'wonderful' care and treatment in his childhood including brain surgery he endured aged 12.
He was pivotal in the original fundraising campaign to build the Children's hospital when his fundraising efforts to 'repay' medics and nurses in his passion to raise money towards seeing the hospital, which opened in 2007, open began aged 14 in 2003 in which £1,000 from a non school uniform day at St Birinus School turned into over £175,000 he has now achieved both through events and through the value of gifts that his charity has donated through festive appeals, over the past 17 years.
In July 2017 Andy received an esteemed British Citizen Award for which he has now gone on to become an official ambassador to advocate for these national awards and was invited to Her Majesty The Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace on his 30th birthday last year, in recognition of his tireless charitable work.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Andy is now busy organising many more fundraising events which over the next year will see Play2Give continue to raise money for local good causes, with a particular focus on raising funds towards the new sensory rehabilitation garden at Headway's base, its final sprint to raise the final few hundred of pounds for the family room at Ronald McDonald House and from next year being wider involved in the House's crucial fundraising exercise, as well as continuing to help awareness and raise funds for its many other local causes.
The Superheroes will carry out a number of 'big' challenges 'by foot' over the coming year including a superheroic 19-mile walk from Didcot to the Children's Hospital on Saturday, September 28th through passing towns and villages such as Abingdon, Radley and Kennington on route, through to plans for a Superheroes fun day and run at Boundary Park in Didcot next year, and continuing to soak up the atmosphere literally at public events such as Harwell feast and next year's Didcot Summer Fayre by the caped crusaders being 'splat' in the stocks.
The organisation holds it second sell-out black-tie Ball with a masquerade theme at the end of this month at Didcot Civic Hall, and later this month sees the launch of their fifth annual "Sleigh2Give" appeal, which is Andy's annual festive appeal which each year aims to spread cheer, joy and smiles to those less fortunate, through gifts raised. Last year's "Sleigh2Give" was the biggest on record with an estimated £30,000 worth of presents given out to children in hospital, young carers and underprivileged families in South Oxfordshire.
A Fitness Class-Athlon is being held by UTC Oxfordshire Sport on October 19th, and a 'Heroes and Villains' party will be held at Partyman World in Oxford on Saturday, October 26th to top up the charity pot, with other events, including 'Gweeplefest 2' at Harwell village hall in late November.
Next Summer will see the return of its football tournament in association with the Partyman Magic Makers charity.
For more information about Play2Give and any of its upcoming fundraising events, or to donate, see play2give.org.uk or search Play2Give on social media.
Community champion honour for Play2Give founder Andy Baker
Release: April 28 2019
Play2Give founder is Soha Housing's Community Champion of the Year
An inspirational Didcot man who has raised and donated out tens of thousands of pounds for local charities has been honoured by the housing association of which he is a tenant.
Soha Housing held their AGM and 'Thank-you' evening recently, and Andrew Baker, 30, who runs the Play2Give charity was the big winner of the night receiving the award for Community Champion of the Year, along with two other nominations. A record number of nominations was received for Soha's 'thank you' awards by members as a way to recognise those tenants who go the extra mile in their local communities - whether in fundraising, being a good neighbour, volunteering their time towards a project or charity, or being known as an unsung hero.
Andy, who set up the fundraising organisation Play2Give in 2007, has been fundraising since the age of 14. He began his mission to repay Oxford medics who treated him throughout childhood when he was a year 10 schoolboy in 2003 at St Birinus School in Didcot.
He was born with a brain injury, and underwent brain surgery at the age of 12. He has gone on to raise and donate out more than £174,000 through fundraising events, gifts from his annual ‘Sleigh2Give’ appeal – which gives out presents to those less fortunate at Christmas including toys to sick children in hospital – and more recently through a team of ‘Superheroes’ taking part in the Oxford Mail OX5RUN in March.
The money Andy and his team of volunteers and supporters has raised over the over past 17 years has supported many local charities including the Oxford Children’s Hospital (including funding a single patient room for teenagers), Ronald McDonald House, Headway Oxfordshire, Footsteps and Be Free Young Carers. In total, 18 charities across the county have benefited from the efforts of Play2Give over 11 years.
Many Soha tenants across the housing association, which provides 6,600 affordable homes to 10,000 residents in and around south Oxfordshire, were recognised including Courtney Hughes, 21, who collects gifts for the vulnerable and
elderly, through her Secret Santa charity. Andy, who has lived in a Soha housing home ever since he was born and serves as a member, said being given the awards by his housing provider were ‘extra special’ and were a ‘continued tribute’ to
everyone who continues to support and helps him in his charitable giving.
Andy hopes to raise up to £15,000 through fundraising endeavours this year, and efforts will include a ‘Superheroes’ 19.8-mile run and walk from Didcot Football Club to the John Radcliffe Children’s Hospital on May 18th, a golf day in July, a glitzy
ball in September, attending the Harwell feast and Bands on the Boundary events, and running the Didcot Summer Fayre for a second year set to take place on August 3rd, amongst many other events.
Andy received a national British Citizen Award in July 2017 at the Palace of Westminster, and was a guest at Her Majesty The Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on his 30th birthday in June last year in recognition of his tireless commitment and dedication to charitable giving.
Notes to Editors:
For more information about Soha’s recent AGM and ‘thank you’ event and more about the housing association, contact Soha’s communications team on 01235 515900 or press@soha.co.uk
To contact or speak to Andy directly, call 07939064308 or email baker.andrew@hotmail.co.uk
ATTACHED: Picture is of Andy receiving his award for ‘Community Champion of the Year’ from Soha Housing’s CEO, Kate Wareing. Pic - courtesy of Soha Housing.
Play2Give founder is Soha Housing's Community Champion of the Year
An inspirational Didcot man who has raised and donated out tens of thousands of pounds for local charities has been honoured by the housing association of which he is a tenant.
Soha Housing held their AGM and 'Thank-you' evening recently, and Andrew Baker, 30, who runs the Play2Give charity was the big winner of the night receiving the award for Community Champion of the Year, along with two other nominations. A record number of nominations was received for Soha's 'thank you' awards by members as a way to recognise those tenants who go the extra mile in their local communities - whether in fundraising, being a good neighbour, volunteering their time towards a project or charity, or being known as an unsung hero.
Andy, who set up the fundraising organisation Play2Give in 2007, has been fundraising since the age of 14. He began his mission to repay Oxford medics who treated him throughout childhood when he was a year 10 schoolboy in 2003 at St Birinus School in Didcot.
He was born with a brain injury, and underwent brain surgery at the age of 12. He has gone on to raise and donate out more than £174,000 through fundraising events, gifts from his annual ‘Sleigh2Give’ appeal – which gives out presents to those less fortunate at Christmas including toys to sick children in hospital – and more recently through a team of ‘Superheroes’ taking part in the Oxford Mail OX5RUN in March.
The money Andy and his team of volunteers and supporters has raised over the over past 17 years has supported many local charities including the Oxford Children’s Hospital (including funding a single patient room for teenagers), Ronald McDonald House, Headway Oxfordshire, Footsteps and Be Free Young Carers. In total, 18 charities across the county have benefited from the efforts of Play2Give over 11 years.
Many Soha tenants across the housing association, which provides 6,600 affordable homes to 10,000 residents in and around south Oxfordshire, were recognised including Courtney Hughes, 21, who collects gifts for the vulnerable and
elderly, through her Secret Santa charity. Andy, who has lived in a Soha housing home ever since he was born and serves as a member, said being given the awards by his housing provider were ‘extra special’ and were a ‘continued tribute’ to
everyone who continues to support and helps him in his charitable giving.
Andy hopes to raise up to £15,000 through fundraising endeavours this year, and efforts will include a ‘Superheroes’ 19.8-mile run and walk from Didcot Football Club to the John Radcliffe Children’s Hospital on May 18th, a golf day in July, a glitzy
ball in September, attending the Harwell feast and Bands on the Boundary events, and running the Didcot Summer Fayre for a second year set to take place on August 3rd, amongst many other events.
Andy received a national British Citizen Award in July 2017 at the Palace of Westminster, and was a guest at Her Majesty The Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on his 30th birthday in June last year in recognition of his tireless commitment and dedication to charitable giving.
Notes to Editors:
For more information about Soha’s recent AGM and ‘thank you’ event and more about the housing association, contact Soha’s communications team on 01235 515900 or press@soha.co.uk
To contact or speak to Andy directly, call 07939064308 or email baker.andrew@hotmail.co.uk
ATTACHED: Picture is of Andy receiving his award for ‘Community Champion of the Year’ from Soha Housing’s CEO, Kate Wareing. Pic - courtesy of Soha Housing.
Batman and Mr Incredible raise charity cash
Release: March 21 2019
Batman and Mr Incredible was out in force collecting superheroic sums of money recently in a Didcot supermarket for charity.
The real-life action men along with Rey from Star Wars was armed with buckets to collect cash for some of the most poorliest and disabled young people and adults in the county.
Oxfordshire charities Headway, who support adults with acquired brain injuries, and the Footsteps Foundation, based in Dorchester-on-Thames, as well as the 'Opportunities for Oliver' physiotherapy fund all benefited.
The comic book trio, along with other volunteers, cash collected at Didcot's Tesco superstore last weekend (March 17th) through a bag packing day mustering up close to £500.
The tremendous trio are part of a new Superheroes group recently formed by former members of the Didcot Thong Rangers to help prolific Didcot fundraising organisation, Play2Give, run by Andrew Baker, raise even more funds for good causes across the county.
A total of £486.83 was raised in six hours through generous customers donations.
Headway supports over 400 people, including Play2Give founder Andy, with an acquired brain injury and their families each year with its rehabilitation centre based in Kennington. Footsteps provides intensive and innovative physiotherapy to children with neurological and neuro-motor disorders, while funds will also benefit 6-year old Oliver from Didcot helping to improve his quality of life. 6-year-old Oliver was struck down with Acute Necrotising Encephalopathy of Childhood (ANEC), a rare brain condition at the age of three, resulting in a severe acquired brain injury. Funds raised will provide therapy, equipment and medical treatment Oliver needs.
Andy, 30, who has raised more than £100,000 since 2003, set up Play2Give in 2007.
To donate to Play2Give, or for more information, play2give.org.uk
Batman and Mr Incredible was out in force collecting superheroic sums of money recently in a Didcot supermarket for charity.
The real-life action men along with Rey from Star Wars was armed with buckets to collect cash for some of the most poorliest and disabled young people and adults in the county.
Oxfordshire charities Headway, who support adults with acquired brain injuries, and the Footsteps Foundation, based in Dorchester-on-Thames, as well as the 'Opportunities for Oliver' physiotherapy fund all benefited.
The comic book trio, along with other volunteers, cash collected at Didcot's Tesco superstore last weekend (March 17th) through a bag packing day mustering up close to £500.
The tremendous trio are part of a new Superheroes group recently formed by former members of the Didcot Thong Rangers to help prolific Didcot fundraising organisation, Play2Give, run by Andrew Baker, raise even more funds for good causes across the county.
A total of £486.83 was raised in six hours through generous customers donations.
Headway supports over 400 people, including Play2Give founder Andy, with an acquired brain injury and their families each year with its rehabilitation centre based in Kennington. Footsteps provides intensive and innovative physiotherapy to children with neurological and neuro-motor disorders, while funds will also benefit 6-year old Oliver from Didcot helping to improve his quality of life. 6-year-old Oliver was struck down with Acute Necrotising Encephalopathy of Childhood (ANEC), a rare brain condition at the age of three, resulting in a severe acquired brain injury. Funds raised will provide therapy, equipment and medical treatment Oliver needs.
Andy, 30, who has raised more than £100,000 since 2003, set up Play2Give in 2007.
To donate to Play2Give, or for more information, play2give.org.uk
Spiderman helping to bring in super hero funds for charity
Release: June 14 2018
The greatest superhero of them all will be on hand to help raise superhero sums for young hospital patients.
Action web-slinging hero Spiderman will be in Didcot on the morning of Sunday, June 24 to garner funds for the Oxford Children's Hospital through supporting the fundraising aims of Play2Give, set up by the town's very own fundraising hero, Andrew Baker.
The famous movie hero has organised a martial arts sparathon in collaboration with the award-winning Didcot-based organisation created by Andrew in 2007. The energetic event is set to take place at the Willowbrook Leisure Centre.
Carl Davis, estate agent by day for James Gesner estate agents in the town and taekwondo instructor in his spare time is also helping Andrew to reach a £100,000 fundraising milestone by the end of this year.
Carl has teamed up with Andy to generate up to £7,500 from the sparathon event and will see a range of disciplines represented with competitors from children to adults alike taking on taekwondo, karate and kickboxing throughout the four-hour long event. The children's competition will focus on 50 rounds of sparring (1.5 minutes) for 7-12 years and 100 rounds of 1.5 minutes for those aged 13 upwards.
The former St Birinus School duo both have a mission in common to raise funds for the hospital, as both have experienced care and treatment from the children's hospital in their younger years. It was brain surgery aged 12 that spurred Andrew's fundraising for the hospital aged 14 in 2003.
The greatest superhero of them all will be on hand to help raise superhero sums for young hospital patients.
Action web-slinging hero Spiderman will be in Didcot on the morning of Sunday, June 24 to garner funds for the Oxford Children's Hospital through supporting the fundraising aims of Play2Give, set up by the town's very own fundraising hero, Andrew Baker.
The famous movie hero has organised a martial arts sparathon in collaboration with the award-winning Didcot-based organisation created by Andrew in 2007. The energetic event is set to take place at the Willowbrook Leisure Centre.
Carl Davis, estate agent by day for James Gesner estate agents in the town and taekwondo instructor in his spare time is also helping Andrew to reach a £100,000 fundraising milestone by the end of this year.
Carl has teamed up with Andy to generate up to £7,500 from the sparathon event and will see a range of disciplines represented with competitors from children to adults alike taking on taekwondo, karate and kickboxing throughout the four-hour long event. The children's competition will focus on 50 rounds of sparring (1.5 minutes) for 7-12 years and 100 rounds of 1.5 minutes for those aged 13 upwards.
The former St Birinus School duo both have a mission in common to raise funds for the hospital, as both have experienced care and treatment from the children's hospital in their younger years. It was brain surgery aged 12 that spurred Andrew's fundraising for the hospital aged 14 in 2003.
Didcot charity champion's special birthday at palace
Release: June 8 2018
An esteemed fundraiser from Didcot rubbed shoulders with royalty recently for a thirtieth birthday to remember. The inspirational founder of Play2Give, Andrew Baker, who has dedicated half of his life to helping others, received a lucky ticket to The Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace earlier this month.
Andy, of Didcot, was one of around 8,000 lucky community stalwarts from across the country to ‘bag’ a very special date at the palace – on the day of his 30th birthday – in recognition of his selfless and tireless charity campaigning.
The former St Birinus School pupil, dubbed ‘Mr Play2Give’, born with a brain injury, has thrown himself into fundraising over the past 16 years. Inspired to help others, he is now just over £5,000 away from reaching £100,000 – which he hopes to achieve by the end of the year.
He began his fundraising mission aged 14 in 2003 to repay the Oxford medical teams who saved his life at birth, and aged at aged 12 with brain surgery. He set up his hugely successful fundraising organisation, Play2Give, in 2007 to continue the fundraising he first embarked upon at St Birinus. Over this time his team has helped raise funds for Oxford Children’s Hospital, brain injury charity Headway Oxfordshire, Footsteps in Dorchester and other county-based charities. He has organised a wide range of events including football tournaments, balls, charity nights, fun days, skydives, walks, Christmas toy drives, supermarket appeals and many more to ‘net’ in funds.
Andy’s fundraising earnt him national acclaim last summer when he scooped a prestigious British Citizen Award bestowed to him in a ceremony at the Palace of Westminster last July, in the same year that saw The Play2Give Room – a treatment room for teenage patients in the children’s hospital – open in P2G’s name. The fundraising organisation steered by Andy saw their most successful year raising close to a record £20,000 in its tenth anniversary.
Andy, who fought for life in the special care baby unit after being born with a brain injury at the John Radcliffe, and subsequently underwent brain surgery, aged 12 following a further head injury, was given the best thirtieth birthday present on 5th June with afternoon tea with members of the royal family, and multi-award winning local taxi firm Go Green Taxis, one of Play2Give’s sponsors, chauffeured Andy and his mum Ann in style in one of their Mercedes to and back from the occasion free of charge as their own contribution to reward his sterling work.
Andy was nominated last September for the Garden Party honour in a process that involved the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire – The Queen’s representative in the county. The prestigious Garden Party, one of three held at Buckingham Palace this summer, on June 5th recognised and rewarded ‘unsung heroes’ from across the country from all walks of life for
their positive impact and contributions to the society and communities in which they live.
At the three-hour long event, Andy and his mum got to see Princess Anne and HRH Prince of Wales, amongst other members of the royal party. HRH hosted the occasion.
He says: "It was the best birthday I have ever had. It was a truly amazing experience and a day that me and my mum will remember forever. We will never forget it, and we are really thankful to have been honoured to attend. You never think you are going to get to go to the palace, it was a dream come true. And to meet other people who are doing amazing things it
was a really lovely atmosphere and I will certainly treasure the day"
Andy, of Great Western Drive, added being at the occasion was a ‘tribute’ to the countless thousands who have helped get behind, involved and supported his fundraising efforts over the past sixteen years, including Go Green Taxis who have played a major part particularly in the organisation’s ‘Sleigh2Give’ festive appeal for the past three years. He says: "It was such a nice way to thank me for everything I have done and is a tribute to everybody that has helped me".
He added: "We would like to say a huge thank you to Go Green for their kind generosity in transporting us to our special day and I continue to be hugely appreciative of their wonderful support".
Play2Give is busy organising Didcot’s new Summer Fayre being held on August 4th at Edmonds Park in the town of which Go Green Taxis is one of many sponsors. Other events, including a martial arts sparathon will take place in Didcot on June 24, all to help boost the organisation’s appeal and to help Andy to within his £100,000 milestone this year.
The fundraising organisation is also a finalist in this year’s Oxfordshire Business Awards in the Oxford Times Charity & Community Award prize. The lavish black-tie dinner takes place on June 15, when winners across many categories will be announced. Play2Give is up against Oxford mental health charity Restore, and Oxford-based Donnington Doorstep.
An esteemed fundraiser from Didcot rubbed shoulders with royalty recently for a thirtieth birthday to remember. The inspirational founder of Play2Give, Andrew Baker, who has dedicated half of his life to helping others, received a lucky ticket to The Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace earlier this month.
Andy, of Didcot, was one of around 8,000 lucky community stalwarts from across the country to ‘bag’ a very special date at the palace – on the day of his 30th birthday – in recognition of his selfless and tireless charity campaigning.
The former St Birinus School pupil, dubbed ‘Mr Play2Give’, born with a brain injury, has thrown himself into fundraising over the past 16 years. Inspired to help others, he is now just over £5,000 away from reaching £100,000 – which he hopes to achieve by the end of the year.
He began his fundraising mission aged 14 in 2003 to repay the Oxford medical teams who saved his life at birth, and aged at aged 12 with brain surgery. He set up his hugely successful fundraising organisation, Play2Give, in 2007 to continue the fundraising he first embarked upon at St Birinus. Over this time his team has helped raise funds for Oxford Children’s Hospital, brain injury charity Headway Oxfordshire, Footsteps in Dorchester and other county-based charities. He has organised a wide range of events including football tournaments, balls, charity nights, fun days, skydives, walks, Christmas toy drives, supermarket appeals and many more to ‘net’ in funds.
Andy’s fundraising earnt him national acclaim last summer when he scooped a prestigious British Citizen Award bestowed to him in a ceremony at the Palace of Westminster last July, in the same year that saw The Play2Give Room – a treatment room for teenage patients in the children’s hospital – open in P2G’s name. The fundraising organisation steered by Andy saw their most successful year raising close to a record £20,000 in its tenth anniversary.
Andy, who fought for life in the special care baby unit after being born with a brain injury at the John Radcliffe, and subsequently underwent brain surgery, aged 12 following a further head injury, was given the best thirtieth birthday present on 5th June with afternoon tea with members of the royal family, and multi-award winning local taxi firm Go Green Taxis, one of Play2Give’s sponsors, chauffeured Andy and his mum Ann in style in one of their Mercedes to and back from the occasion free of charge as their own contribution to reward his sterling work.
Andy was nominated last September for the Garden Party honour in a process that involved the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire – The Queen’s representative in the county. The prestigious Garden Party, one of three held at Buckingham Palace this summer, on June 5th recognised and rewarded ‘unsung heroes’ from across the country from all walks of life for
their positive impact and contributions to the society and communities in which they live.
At the three-hour long event, Andy and his mum got to see Princess Anne and HRH Prince of Wales, amongst other members of the royal party. HRH hosted the occasion.
He says: "It was the best birthday I have ever had. It was a truly amazing experience and a day that me and my mum will remember forever. We will never forget it, and we are really thankful to have been honoured to attend. You never think you are going to get to go to the palace, it was a dream come true. And to meet other people who are doing amazing things it
was a really lovely atmosphere and I will certainly treasure the day"
Andy, of Great Western Drive, added being at the occasion was a ‘tribute’ to the countless thousands who have helped get behind, involved and supported his fundraising efforts over the past sixteen years, including Go Green Taxis who have played a major part particularly in the organisation’s ‘Sleigh2Give’ festive appeal for the past three years. He says: "It was such a nice way to thank me for everything I have done and is a tribute to everybody that has helped me".
He added: "We would like to say a huge thank you to Go Green for their kind generosity in transporting us to our special day and I continue to be hugely appreciative of their wonderful support".
Play2Give is busy organising Didcot’s new Summer Fayre being held on August 4th at Edmonds Park in the town of which Go Green Taxis is one of many sponsors. Other events, including a martial arts sparathon will take place in Didcot on June 24, all to help boost the organisation’s appeal and to help Andy to within his £100,000 milestone this year.
The fundraising organisation is also a finalist in this year’s Oxfordshire Business Awards in the Oxford Times Charity & Community Award prize. The lavish black-tie dinner takes place on June 15, when winners across many categories will be announced. Play2Give is up against Oxford mental health charity Restore, and Oxford-based Donnington Doorstep.
It's a special 30th birthday date at Buckingham Palace for Andrew Baker
Release: April 23 2018
It’s not very often you get a special invite to rub shoulders with royalty at Buckingham Palace and on your birthday. But for an inspirational Oxfordshire fundraiser who has dedicated half of his life to helping others that is the just the lucky ticket!
Founder of Play2Give, Andrew Baker of Didcot, is one of the lucky thousands selected from across the country to ‘bag’ a very special date at the palace – and on the day of his 30th birthday – in recognition of his tireless and unrelenting charity work.
The former St Birinus School pupil, dubbed ‘Mr Play2Give’, has thrown himself into fundraising over the past 16 years. Inspired to help others after receiving treatment from birth for a multitude of health problems, Andy is now just £9,000 away from reaching £100,000 – which he hopes to achieve by the end of the year.
The 29-year-old began his fundraising mission aged 14 in 2003 to repay the Oxford medical teams who saved his life at birth, and aged at aged 12.
He set up his hugely successful fundraising organisation, Play2Give, in 2007 to continue the fundraising he first embarked upon at St Birinus. Over that time he has helped raise funds for Oxford Children’s Hospital, brain injury charity Headway Oxfordshire, Footsteps in Dorchester and other county-based charities. He has organised a wide range of events including football tournaments, balls, charity nights, fun days, skydives, walks, Christmas toy drives, supermarket appeals and many more to ‘net’ in funds.
The ‘team effort’ in Andy’s fundraising earnt him recognition along the way scooping a prestigious British Citizen Award at the Palace of Westminster in July 2017, in the same year which saw The Play2Give Room – a treatment room for teenage patients in the children’s hospital – open in P2G’s name. The fundraising organisation steered by Andy at the helm saw their most successful year raising close to a record £20,000 in its tenth anniversary.
Andy, who fought for life in the special care baby unit after being born with a brain injury at the John Radcliffe, and subsequently underwent brain surgery, aged 12 following a further head injury, has been given the ‘best birthday present’ of them all – attending one of Her Majesty The Queen’s Royal Garden parties on June 5th.
He was nominated for the honour by Mayor of Didcot, Jackie Billington, in a special process that involved the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire – The Queen’s representative. The prestigious Royal Garden Party, one of three held at Buckingham Palace this summer, on June 5th recognise and reward thousands of stalwarts from all walks of life for their positive impact and contributions in their communities.
Andy, of Great Western Drive, will be attending his very special Royal date at the palace with his biggest supporter of them all, his mum Ann, and says being at the occasion will be a ‘tribute’ to the countless thousands who have helped get behind, involved and supported his fundraising efforts over the past sixteen years.
Play2Give is busy organising Didcot’s new Summer Fayre, being held on August 4th at Edmonds Park in the town. The nine-hour long family fun event, organised in partnership with Sustainable Didcot, will also see live music on the evening. Didcot Parkway will hold a charity collection and cakes sale Saturday in June, a martial arts sparathon will take place in June, and there will also be a bag packing weekend at Tesco Didcot later in the year, as well as other events all to help boost the organisation’s appeal and Andy to within his £100,000 milestone this year.
It’s not very often you get a special invite to rub shoulders with royalty at Buckingham Palace and on your birthday. But for an inspirational Oxfordshire fundraiser who has dedicated half of his life to helping others that is the just the lucky ticket!
Founder of Play2Give, Andrew Baker of Didcot, is one of the lucky thousands selected from across the country to ‘bag’ a very special date at the palace – and on the day of his 30th birthday – in recognition of his tireless and unrelenting charity work.
The former St Birinus School pupil, dubbed ‘Mr Play2Give’, has thrown himself into fundraising over the past 16 years. Inspired to help others after receiving treatment from birth for a multitude of health problems, Andy is now just £9,000 away from reaching £100,000 – which he hopes to achieve by the end of the year.
The 29-year-old began his fundraising mission aged 14 in 2003 to repay the Oxford medical teams who saved his life at birth, and aged at aged 12.
He set up his hugely successful fundraising organisation, Play2Give, in 2007 to continue the fundraising he first embarked upon at St Birinus. Over that time he has helped raise funds for Oxford Children’s Hospital, brain injury charity Headway Oxfordshire, Footsteps in Dorchester and other county-based charities. He has organised a wide range of events including football tournaments, balls, charity nights, fun days, skydives, walks, Christmas toy drives, supermarket appeals and many more to ‘net’ in funds.
The ‘team effort’ in Andy’s fundraising earnt him recognition along the way scooping a prestigious British Citizen Award at the Palace of Westminster in July 2017, in the same year which saw The Play2Give Room – a treatment room for teenage patients in the children’s hospital – open in P2G’s name. The fundraising organisation steered by Andy at the helm saw their most successful year raising close to a record £20,000 in its tenth anniversary.
Andy, who fought for life in the special care baby unit after being born with a brain injury at the John Radcliffe, and subsequently underwent brain surgery, aged 12 following a further head injury, has been given the ‘best birthday present’ of them all – attending one of Her Majesty The Queen’s Royal Garden parties on June 5th.
He was nominated for the honour by Mayor of Didcot, Jackie Billington, in a special process that involved the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire – The Queen’s representative. The prestigious Royal Garden Party, one of three held at Buckingham Palace this summer, on June 5th recognise and reward thousands of stalwarts from all walks of life for their positive impact and contributions in their communities.
Andy, of Great Western Drive, will be attending his very special Royal date at the palace with his biggest supporter of them all, his mum Ann, and says being at the occasion will be a ‘tribute’ to the countless thousands who have helped get behind, involved and supported his fundraising efforts over the past sixteen years.
Play2Give is busy organising Didcot’s new Summer Fayre, being held on August 4th at Edmonds Park in the town. The nine-hour long family fun event, organised in partnership with Sustainable Didcot, will also see live music on the evening. Didcot Parkway will hold a charity collection and cakes sale Saturday in June, a martial arts sparathon will take place in June, and there will also be a bag packing weekend at Tesco Didcot later in the year, as well as other events all to help boost the organisation’s appeal and Andy to within his £100,000 milestone this year.
First Milton Park Santa dash is a runaway success
Release: December 11 2017
Over one hundred runners braved the freezing temperatures and forewent their lunch last Friday to come together to support two local charities.
Milton Park was a sight to behold with a Santa 5K run taking over the business park with 150 runners, walkers and joggers taking on the fun race organised by The Park Club gym to raise money for both Play2Give and MS Therapy Oxfordshire.
The first ever Santa 5K was a resounding success with around 150 registered by the time of warm-up, and so far has seen £600 raised from entry fees for both charities. P2G, which supports both Oxford Children’s Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire, was set up by Didcot’s Andy Baker in 2007. The fundraising group has gone on to raise over £69,000 in ten years.
MS Therapy Oxfordshire provides affordable and accessible complementary therapies, often not available on the NHS, as well as information and support, to those with MS.
The run, which even Santa’s themselves take on the 3.1-mile course, was organised by The Park Club gym in conjunction with the business park to bring early festive spirit and cheer, and it is hoped it will become an annual event in the calendar.
The fastest man came in at 17 minutes whilst the first woman across the finish line was Didcot’s very own charity running champion Eileen Naughton, who dressed as Lady Claus. Eileen has raised more than £20,000 for charities by running many marathons over the years.
A Christmas Fair was also held over 6 hours by the gym boosting P2G’s funds even further, which was also a chance for everyone to warm up over mince pies and hot chocolate whilst browsing a festive range of stalls.
P2G has raised the most amount of money in history this year as part of its tenth anniversary appeal. Funds from both events last week could push the group nearer to £20,000 in total this year, as they come close to the end of their milestone year.
P2G founder Andy, of Great Western Drive, said: “It was a fantastic event and a fantastic sight. It was truly inspiring to see so many workers on the park and members of the gym turn out to support both causes braving the incredibly cold weather to dash around the business park!
He added: "To see 150 signed up to take on the challenge of 5 miles on a bitter cold December day was heart-warming, and it was, with the help of Santa, a real privilege to officially start the assemble on their way. I would like to say a massive thank you to Richard Claydon and all the Park Club team who organised such a brilliant festive feel-good event – and for all the hard work. P2G are delighted to be one of their nominated charities throughout the year, we love working with them!”
Run organiser, Soll Leisure’s Richard Claydon, added: “Soll Leisure prides itself on being a community-focused company, and it is great to be able to support local communities and charities. We are delighted that our first Santa Run event was such a success, raising money for two great local charities, and we really appreciate everyone supporting the event through the cold weather and bringing such a positive, festive spirit on the day. A BIG thanks to all local businesses that supported the event, and we look forward to doing it all again next year!"
Soll Leisure, who last month won the Apprenticeship & Trainee Scheme Award at the 9th Didcot Business & Community Awards, has raised close on £1,500 to date for P2G in the past two years including spinathons, fun days and open events. They have been inspired by Andy, who suffers with a brain injury, who has raised close on £90,000 in over 15 years.
To donate to P2G’s 10th anniversary appeal, visit tinyurl.com/zksd8xx
Over one hundred runners braved the freezing temperatures and forewent their lunch last Friday to come together to support two local charities.
Milton Park was a sight to behold with a Santa 5K run taking over the business park with 150 runners, walkers and joggers taking on the fun race organised by The Park Club gym to raise money for both Play2Give and MS Therapy Oxfordshire.
The first ever Santa 5K was a resounding success with around 150 registered by the time of warm-up, and so far has seen £600 raised from entry fees for both charities. P2G, which supports both Oxford Children’s Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire, was set up by Didcot’s Andy Baker in 2007. The fundraising group has gone on to raise over £69,000 in ten years.
MS Therapy Oxfordshire provides affordable and accessible complementary therapies, often not available on the NHS, as well as information and support, to those with MS.
The run, which even Santa’s themselves take on the 3.1-mile course, was organised by The Park Club gym in conjunction with the business park to bring early festive spirit and cheer, and it is hoped it will become an annual event in the calendar.
The fastest man came in at 17 minutes whilst the first woman across the finish line was Didcot’s very own charity running champion Eileen Naughton, who dressed as Lady Claus. Eileen has raised more than £20,000 for charities by running many marathons over the years.
A Christmas Fair was also held over 6 hours by the gym boosting P2G’s funds even further, which was also a chance for everyone to warm up over mince pies and hot chocolate whilst browsing a festive range of stalls.
P2G has raised the most amount of money in history this year as part of its tenth anniversary appeal. Funds from both events last week could push the group nearer to £20,000 in total this year, as they come close to the end of their milestone year.
P2G founder Andy, of Great Western Drive, said: “It was a fantastic event and a fantastic sight. It was truly inspiring to see so many workers on the park and members of the gym turn out to support both causes braving the incredibly cold weather to dash around the business park!
He added: "To see 150 signed up to take on the challenge of 5 miles on a bitter cold December day was heart-warming, and it was, with the help of Santa, a real privilege to officially start the assemble on their way. I would like to say a massive thank you to Richard Claydon and all the Park Club team who organised such a brilliant festive feel-good event – and for all the hard work. P2G are delighted to be one of their nominated charities throughout the year, we love working with them!”
Run organiser, Soll Leisure’s Richard Claydon, added: “Soll Leisure prides itself on being a community-focused company, and it is great to be able to support local communities and charities. We are delighted that our first Santa Run event was such a success, raising money for two great local charities, and we really appreciate everyone supporting the event through the cold weather and bringing such a positive, festive spirit on the day. A BIG thanks to all local businesses that supported the event, and we look forward to doing it all again next year!"
Soll Leisure, who last month won the Apprenticeship & Trainee Scheme Award at the 9th Didcot Business & Community Awards, has raised close on £1,500 to date for P2G in the past two years including spinathons, fun days and open events. They have been inspired by Andy, who suffers with a brain injury, who has raised close on £90,000 in over 15 years.
To donate to P2G’s 10th anniversary appeal, visit tinyurl.com/zksd8xx
Every little helps for toy appeal with the support of Didcot supermarket
Release: November 21 2017
The Didcot Tesco supermarket is teaming up with its fundraising counterparts at Play2Give this weekend to appeal for donations of new toys for the Oxford Children's Hospital.
The store on Wallingford Road in the town is once again supporting 'Sleigh2Give', the annual festive initiative of the award-winning Play2Give group, to help spread cheer joy and smiles to the young patients over the festive period.
Last year the supermarket helped Play2Give founder Andy Baker to collect more than 3,000 gifts and it is hopes this weekend's appeal in store will help make another successful effort.
All gifts brand new and unwrapped can be left in the sleigh in the store between Friday (24th) to Sunday (26th) and all new toys and entertainment items will be delivered by Andy and fellow volunteers on the morning of December 17th to the children's hospital with a helping hand from campaign sponsors Go Green Taxis.
The fundraising group, and whose founder Andrew recently received a Didcot BACA award for outstanding achievement, also hosts its Christmas Party at The Barn on Foxhall Road in the town on Friday from 7pm which is open to all families and children with a disco, Santa's grotto, party games and a raffle.
For more information on this year's Sleigh2Give appeal, or how to donate or get involved, visit play2give.org.uk
The Didcot Tesco supermarket is teaming up with its fundraising counterparts at Play2Give this weekend to appeal for donations of new toys for the Oxford Children's Hospital.
The store on Wallingford Road in the town is once again supporting 'Sleigh2Give', the annual festive initiative of the award-winning Play2Give group, to help spread cheer joy and smiles to the young patients over the festive period.
Last year the supermarket helped Play2Give founder Andy Baker to collect more than 3,000 gifts and it is hopes this weekend's appeal in store will help make another successful effort.
All gifts brand new and unwrapped can be left in the sleigh in the store between Friday (24th) to Sunday (26th) and all new toys and entertainment items will be delivered by Andy and fellow volunteers on the morning of December 17th to the children's hospital with a helping hand from campaign sponsors Go Green Taxis.
The fundraising group, and whose founder Andrew recently received a Didcot BACA award for outstanding achievement, also hosts its Christmas Party at The Barn on Foxhall Road in the town on Friday from 7pm which is open to all families and children with a disco, Santa's grotto, party games and a raffle.
For more information on this year's Sleigh2Give appeal, or how to donate or get involved, visit play2give.org.uk
Sleigh2Give spreading festive cheer to young hospital patients
Release: November 6 2017
An annual toy appeal is well underway with the aim to spread cheer, joy and smiles to poorly children in hospital this Christmas.
Once again Didcot-based fundraising group, Play2Give set up by the town’s Andy Baker, has orchestrated Sleigh2Give for a third year running, with the hope of building on its successful campaign last year.
Sleigh2Give was first devised in 2015 as an idea with Lee Crook, who works at the Sainsbury’s supermarket in the town, when three sacksful of toys was received.
Last year, the group received an estimated 3,000 plus donations of new toys which was delivered to the Oxford Children’s Hospital in time for Christmas, with the total of gifts worth around £18,000. This year Play2Give hopes for another successful if not bigger effort this time round.
Last year saw around 40 companies, schools and groups support the annual gift-giving, including Didcot supermarket customers across both Tesco and Sainsbury's.
Together with Santa, Elf Baker and his army of helpers, deliver an abundance of cheer, joy and smiles lifting the spirits to children that are too unwell to enjoy Christmas at home. The annual toy drive is again sponsored by Go Green Taxis, whose chosen charity is Play2Give, as well as Didcot charity shop, Changing Lives.
This year gifts ranging in age from babies to teenagers will be delivered to the children’s wards on December 17th.
Both Oxford Harlequins Rugby Club and Wheatley Rugby Club are both lending their support this year as part of the growing number supporting this year’s appeal. There are a number of donation zones, and gifts can also be collected in Didcot. There will be donation days in-store at Tesco in the town on across three days on the weekend of November 24th and at Sainsbury's, also in Didcot, on December 8th.
Go Green Taxis spokesperson Bradlee Moore said: “Go Green Taxis are very proud to be sponsoring and supporting Play2Give’s festive campaign again this year. Sleigh2Give is a fantastic initiative and we have seen first-hand what a difference this makes to the children at the Oxford Children’s Hospital at Christmas. All of our drivers and staff really got behind the campaign last year, raising money and donating presents, and we expect this year’s effort to be even bigger and better. As a company with strong roots in the local community, we recognise the value of local groups such as Play2Give and that is why we are delighted to be associated with it, not just at Christmas but throughout the year.”
Play2Give organises a wide range of events and initiatives each year raising many thousands for local charities, including over £45,000 for the children's hospital which saw a room named after it unveiled on the teenage ward earlier this year. This year the fundraising group hoped to raise £10,000 or more as part of its tenth anniversary appeal, and 2017 looks set to be a record year for the group, with over £16,000 already raised.
Anyone wishing to donate towards Sleigh2Give, or for more information about P2G, can visit play2give.org.uk
An annual toy appeal is well underway with the aim to spread cheer, joy and smiles to poorly children in hospital this Christmas.
Once again Didcot-based fundraising group, Play2Give set up by the town’s Andy Baker, has orchestrated Sleigh2Give for a third year running, with the hope of building on its successful campaign last year.
Sleigh2Give was first devised in 2015 as an idea with Lee Crook, who works at the Sainsbury’s supermarket in the town, when three sacksful of toys was received.
Last year, the group received an estimated 3,000 plus donations of new toys which was delivered to the Oxford Children’s Hospital in time for Christmas, with the total of gifts worth around £18,000. This year Play2Give hopes for another successful if not bigger effort this time round.
Last year saw around 40 companies, schools and groups support the annual gift-giving, including Didcot supermarket customers across both Tesco and Sainsbury's.
Together with Santa, Elf Baker and his army of helpers, deliver an abundance of cheer, joy and smiles lifting the spirits to children that are too unwell to enjoy Christmas at home. The annual toy drive is again sponsored by Go Green Taxis, whose chosen charity is Play2Give, as well as Didcot charity shop, Changing Lives.
This year gifts ranging in age from babies to teenagers will be delivered to the children’s wards on December 17th.
Both Oxford Harlequins Rugby Club and Wheatley Rugby Club are both lending their support this year as part of the growing number supporting this year’s appeal. There are a number of donation zones, and gifts can also be collected in Didcot. There will be donation days in-store at Tesco in the town on across three days on the weekend of November 24th and at Sainsbury's, also in Didcot, on December 8th.
Go Green Taxis spokesperson Bradlee Moore said: “Go Green Taxis are very proud to be sponsoring and supporting Play2Give’s festive campaign again this year. Sleigh2Give is a fantastic initiative and we have seen first-hand what a difference this makes to the children at the Oxford Children’s Hospital at Christmas. All of our drivers and staff really got behind the campaign last year, raising money and donating presents, and we expect this year’s effort to be even bigger and better. As a company with strong roots in the local community, we recognise the value of local groups such as Play2Give and that is why we are delighted to be associated with it, not just at Christmas but throughout the year.”
Play2Give organises a wide range of events and initiatives each year raising many thousands for local charities, including over £45,000 for the children's hospital which saw a room named after it unveiled on the teenage ward earlier this year. This year the fundraising group hoped to raise £10,000 or more as part of its tenth anniversary appeal, and 2017 looks set to be a record year for the group, with over £16,000 already raised.
Anyone wishing to donate towards Sleigh2Give, or for more information about P2G, can visit play2give.org.uk
Willowbrook's Got Talent is coming to Didcot
Release: October 27 2017
Didcot's take on the hit ITV show Britain's Got Talent is sweeping the town soon and you can help support children less fortunate at the same time.
Talent contest, Willowbrook's Got Talent!, is taking centre stage on Saturday November 18 to help children in need and you are needed!
Acts are wanted for Didcot's own spin on the popular TV programme and you can put yourselves forward and help a worthy cause in the process.
Play2Give, which is the Oxfordshire Guardian's charity of the year and the annual BBC's Children in Need appeal, are both set to benefit from this amusing fundraiser, which is free to enter to all.
Those spectating the great the good and the ridiculous are asked to donate £2.50. The talent contest forms part of a charity day Willowbrook Leisure Centre on Bowmont Water in Didcot (next to the football club) have put together for Pudsey's annual appeal which helps disadvantaged children and young people across the United Kingdom.
Willowbrook's Got Talent culminates the spotacular day of fun and fundraising from 10am, and it is hoped a wide variety of different acts will be seen taking part in the show at 4.30pm. Acts will face a panel of judges, including P2G's very own founder Andy Baker.
Can you dance? Can you sing? Are you able to juggle or balance on a unicycle? Are you able to balance more than one banana on your head at one time without them falling? Do you have a fantastic feline with a special talent? A pawsome pooch with an incredible skill? A talented tortoise?
Event organiser Debra Davies, of Willowbrook Leisure Centre, who are longterm P2G supporters, says: Awaiting quote
Willowbrook have long supported P2G and have helped raise more than £700 towards the fundraising organisation's goals, over the past couple of years including two themed spinathons. They are helping P2G add to the £16,000 the group have already chalked up this year as part of their tenth anniversary appeal.
Andy said: "This will be an amusing take on the popular show and should show up the duds and the exceptional.
"Didcot has always had lots of talent within it, such as those who who come from St Birinus such as Ant Hansen and Matt Richardson who have gone stage and TV fame or into sporting stars. So I know there are lots of the weird wonderful and wacky awaiting to unleash theirs for this hilarious event.
"And after all everyone loves Pudsey, so we hope that both causes will be generously boosted. And I can't wait to be one of the judges - unfortunately Cowell and co was busy!"
P2G raises funds and awareness for Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire.
To sign up to take part email ddavies@soll-leisure.co.uk or ring the leisure centre on 01235 812058
Didcot's take on the hit ITV show Britain's Got Talent is sweeping the town soon and you can help support children less fortunate at the same time.
Talent contest, Willowbrook's Got Talent!, is taking centre stage on Saturday November 18 to help children in need and you are needed!
Acts are wanted for Didcot's own spin on the popular TV programme and you can put yourselves forward and help a worthy cause in the process.
Play2Give, which is the Oxfordshire Guardian's charity of the year and the annual BBC's Children in Need appeal, are both set to benefit from this amusing fundraiser, which is free to enter to all.
Those spectating the great the good and the ridiculous are asked to donate £2.50. The talent contest forms part of a charity day Willowbrook Leisure Centre on Bowmont Water in Didcot (next to the football club) have put together for Pudsey's annual appeal which helps disadvantaged children and young people across the United Kingdom.
Willowbrook's Got Talent culminates the spotacular day of fun and fundraising from 10am, and it is hoped a wide variety of different acts will be seen taking part in the show at 4.30pm. Acts will face a panel of judges, including P2G's very own founder Andy Baker.
Can you dance? Can you sing? Are you able to juggle or balance on a unicycle? Are you able to balance more than one banana on your head at one time without them falling? Do you have a fantastic feline with a special talent? A pawsome pooch with an incredible skill? A talented tortoise?
Event organiser Debra Davies, of Willowbrook Leisure Centre, who are longterm P2G supporters, says: Awaiting quote
Willowbrook have long supported P2G and have helped raise more than £700 towards the fundraising organisation's goals, over the past couple of years including two themed spinathons. They are helping P2G add to the £16,000 the group have already chalked up this year as part of their tenth anniversary appeal.
Andy said: "This will be an amusing take on the popular show and should show up the duds and the exceptional.
"Didcot has always had lots of talent within it, such as those who who come from St Birinus such as Ant Hansen and Matt Richardson who have gone stage and TV fame or into sporting stars. So I know there are lots of the weird wonderful and wacky awaiting to unleash theirs for this hilarious event.
"And after all everyone loves Pudsey, so we hope that both causes will be generously boosted. And I can't wait to be one of the judges - unfortunately Cowell and co was busy!"
P2G raises funds and awareness for Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire.
To sign up to take part email ddavies@soll-leisure.co.uk or ring the leisure centre on 01235 812058
Didcot fundraising group shortlisted for three BACA awards
Release: October 20 2017
The fundraising group Play2Give is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted for three prestigious Didcot Business & Community Awards (BACAs).
The BACAs, otherwise known as the 'Oscars of Didcot' take place each year and are organised by Didcot First.
This year's BACAs, now in its ninth year, sees 11 categories across a range of businesses, charities and community groups nominated.
Play2Give was nominated in a record 5 categories and recently found out it has been shortlisted in three categories, with the group amongst tough contention for best fundraising innovation, partnerships and collaborations and best established charity or community group.
Throughout this year fundraisers at the group have been celebrating its tenth anniversary, by aiming to raise £10,000 for Headway Oxfordshire and Oxford Children's Hospital to mark a decade of changing, transforming and saving lives.
Play2Give was founded in September 2007 by former hospital patient Andrew Baker, a former St Birinus School pupil who received a British Citizen Award in July in a ceremony at Westminster.
In ten years the group have gone on to raise over £69,000 in funds raised for a catalogue of county-based charities, including sponsoring a patient room at £40,000 on the hospital's teenage ward.
This year P2G which set out to raise £10,000 as part of the tenth year has already smashed records with this year seeing the group's most successful to date with over £16,000 raised so far.
The BACAs recognise and reward excellence amongst local businesses, community groups and young enterprise in and around the Didcot area.
This year's gala awards ceremony takes place on the evening of November 10th at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in the town.
For more information on this year's BACAs, or the full list of finalists and categories, see www.didcotfirst.org.uk.
For more information on P2G see play2give.org.uk or contact founder Andy Baker for information/BACA reaction, on 07939064308 or play2give@hotmail.com
The fundraising group Play2Give is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted for three prestigious Didcot Business & Community Awards (BACAs).
The BACAs, otherwise known as the 'Oscars of Didcot' take place each year and are organised by Didcot First.
This year's BACAs, now in its ninth year, sees 11 categories across a range of businesses, charities and community groups nominated.
Play2Give was nominated in a record 5 categories and recently found out it has been shortlisted in three categories, with the group amongst tough contention for best fundraising innovation, partnerships and collaborations and best established charity or community group.
Throughout this year fundraisers at the group have been celebrating its tenth anniversary, by aiming to raise £10,000 for Headway Oxfordshire and Oxford Children's Hospital to mark a decade of changing, transforming and saving lives.
Play2Give was founded in September 2007 by former hospital patient Andrew Baker, a former St Birinus School pupil who received a British Citizen Award in July in a ceremony at Westminster.
In ten years the group have gone on to raise over £69,000 in funds raised for a catalogue of county-based charities, including sponsoring a patient room at £40,000 on the hospital's teenage ward.
This year P2G which set out to raise £10,000 as part of the tenth year has already smashed records with this year seeing the group's most successful to date with over £16,000 raised so far.
The BACAs recognise and reward excellence amongst local businesses, community groups and young enterprise in and around the Didcot area.
This year's gala awards ceremony takes place on the evening of November 10th at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in the town.
For more information on this year's BACAs, or the full list of finalists and categories, see www.didcotfirst.org.uk.
For more information on P2G see play2give.org.uk or contact founder Andy Baker for information/BACA reaction, on 07939064308 or play2give@hotmail.com
Charity 5K Santa Run is coming to Milton Park, Oxfordshire
Release: October 18 2017
Soll Leisure and Milton Park are partnering to bring some festive cheer this Christmas through a 5K charity Santa Run, held on Friday 8th December, 2017. The event starts at 12:30 from outside the Park Club Milton gym and is open to all abilities with everyone able to take part, by running, jogging or walking the route.
We are encouraging all participants to dust off their Christmas hats and join us to raise money for two local charities Play2Give and MS Therapy Oxfordshire. The event is a great way to get into the festive spirit and most importantly have fun! There will be prizes available for fastest man and women, as well as best Christmas jumper / outfit.
The event requires a £5 donation, with all proceeds going to our nominated charities. MS Therapy Oxfordshire provides affordable and accessible complementary therapies, often not available on the NHS, as well as information and support, to those with MS. Play2Give is a Didcot based fundraising organisation raising funds for Oxford Children’s Hospital & Headway Oxfordshire.
Richard Claydon, Community Development Manager for Soll Leisure commented, “We are excited to be holding our first Santa Run event and raising money for two great causes. We want to encourage all abilities and fitness levels to come along and take part. The event is a great way to get moving, challenge yourself and get into the Christmas spirit.
To register for the event please visit www.parkclub.co.uk/miltonparksantarun or for any further questions please contact the Park Club at info@parkclub.co.uk.
Soll Leisure and Milton Park are partnering to bring some festive cheer this Christmas through a 5K charity Santa Run, held on Friday 8th December, 2017. The event starts at 12:30 from outside the Park Club Milton gym and is open to all abilities with everyone able to take part, by running, jogging or walking the route.
We are encouraging all participants to dust off their Christmas hats and join us to raise money for two local charities Play2Give and MS Therapy Oxfordshire. The event is a great way to get into the festive spirit and most importantly have fun! There will be prizes available for fastest man and women, as well as best Christmas jumper / outfit.
The event requires a £5 donation, with all proceeds going to our nominated charities. MS Therapy Oxfordshire provides affordable and accessible complementary therapies, often not available on the NHS, as well as information and support, to those with MS. Play2Give is a Didcot based fundraising organisation raising funds for Oxford Children’s Hospital & Headway Oxfordshire.
Richard Claydon, Community Development Manager for Soll Leisure commented, “We are excited to be holding our first Santa Run event and raising money for two great causes. We want to encourage all abilities and fitness levels to come along and take part. The event is a great way to get moving, challenge yourself and get into the Christmas spirit.
To register for the event please visit www.parkclub.co.uk/miltonparksantarun or for any further questions please contact the Park Club at info@parkclub.co.uk.
Inspirational Oxfordshire fundraiser receives national honour
Release: June 2017
An inspirational Oxfordshire man who has raised over £70,300 for charity – despite living with an acquired brain injury since birth - has been recognised with a national honour.
Andrew Baker, of Didcot, has been given a British Citizen Award for his services to volunteering and charitable giving.
The British Citizen Awards (BCAs) were launched in January 2015, to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on society. BCAs are awarded twice annually, and recognise ‘everyday’ people whose achievements may otherwise be overlooked.
Andrew, aged 29, has been fundraising tirelessly since he was a 14-year-old pupil at Didcot’s St Birinus School. Since then, he has raised over £57,300 for the Oxford Children’s Hospital alone as a gesture of thanks for care and support he has received from them over the years, and in particular following a major brain surgery he endured aged 12.
He established his own fundraising organisation, Play2Give, in 2007, to support the hospital and brain injury charity Headway Oxfordshire. Play2Give has become well known and respected throughout Oxfordshire since then and raises money by arranging various events and campaigns, including a popular annual football tournament.
His achievements are all the more remarkable considering he suffers from debilitating headaches and fatigue daily due to his medical condition. He has overcome the obstacles that his acquired brain injury brings and has been relentless in his fundraising efforts.
In addition to his Play2Give group, Andrew has also orchestrated a quirky feel-good festive campaign for the past two years to benefit his local community. Sleigh2Give, which was held in association with both Sainsbury’s and Tesco in Didcot as well as many companies, schools and individuals, raises not only money but also spreads good cheer and joy to sick children at Oxford Children’s Hospital thanks to donated toys, games and gifts that were delivered to the wards in time for Christmas.
The money he has raised over the last 10 years has helped the hospital purchase medical equipment above and beyond the normal NHS standards. In March this year, a patient room for teenagers – ‘The Play2Give Room’ – named after and funded by the organisation, was unveiled at the hospital.
Cash raised by Andrew and his team has also helped Headway Oxfordshire to redevelop its activity and rehabilitation centre and, currently to fund 8 new high tech pieces of customised equipment for the county’s first ‘neurological physiotherapy gym’ in the voluntary sector.
In addition, Andrew and his team has raised money for the John Radcliffe Paediatric Eye Fund; Bone Cancer Research; the Footsteps Foundation, which raises funds to provide innovative physiotherapy to children with neurological disorders; and SpecialEffect, an organisation dedicated to using technology to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities.
He also successfully led a campaign to help save Headway Oxfordshire from closure following budget cuts from the local council.
He is held in very high regard locally thanks to his fundraising work over the years. So much so that, when local taxi firm, Go Green Taxis, found out about Andrew’s medal, they kindly offered to transport him to and from the ceremony free of charge.
Andrew, is one of 30 medallists who will be honoured at a prestigious ceremony on July 6, at the Palace of Westminster. All BCA recipients have positively impact society undertaking various activities in support of a number of causes. Each will receive a Medal of Honour, inscribed with the words ‘For the Good of the Country’. Medallists are also invited to use the initials BCA after their name.
Speaking about his nomination, Andrew said: “It was a really lovely surprise to find out about the award and I’m really excited about it. I couldn’t believe it. It’s a really nice feeling, although, I always feel I don’t quite deserve it, as there are always others that do amazing good deeds, and more deserving. I love doing what I do to make a difference for others for charities closest to my heart, but’s really nice to get that nod of appreciation and thanks.
“It’s really lovely too to be receiving this in my 15th year of fundraising and the 10th anniversary of Play2Give. It’s a real tribute to the thousands of people who have helped, been involved with and supported me over the years including my small ever-growing P2G team. I couldn’t have done any of this without them!”
The awards are in partnership with customer experience management company, InMoment, and are supported by the world’s largest optical retailer, Specsavers; one of the largest property and leisure management, development and regeneration companies in the UK, Places for People; leading ethical law firm Irwin Mitchell; the UK and Europe’s leading palletised freight distribution company, Pall-Ex, owned by BCAs Patron Hilary Devey; and specialist marketing, PR and communications agency, Lime Marketing – who each had representatives at the assessment day and will be presenting the awards in July.
Andrew was nominated for a BCA by friend Linda Latter, who said: “He is a true, genuine young man with a real heart of gold, which is very rare to find these days and he doesn’t ever let life get him down. He lives life to the full and is the life and soul of the party despite his condition. His perseverance, unwavering enthusiasm, relentless commitment and his infectious character makes him so well loved by his circle of friends and family.”
***ENDS***
Dates of issue: xx.xx.17
For more information please contact Sarah Hughes, Senior Account Manager at Lime PR on 07718108695
Notes to Editors
The British Citizen Award recognises individuals that positively impact others and highlights the positive aspects of multi-cultural communities, workplaces, community groups and charities throughout the UK. It is accessible to all and serves to celebrate the good things that make Britain great.
An inspirational Oxfordshire man who has raised over £70,300 for charity – despite living with an acquired brain injury since birth - has been recognised with a national honour.
Andrew Baker, of Didcot, has been given a British Citizen Award for his services to volunteering and charitable giving.
The British Citizen Awards (BCAs) were launched in January 2015, to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on society. BCAs are awarded twice annually, and recognise ‘everyday’ people whose achievements may otherwise be overlooked.
Andrew, aged 29, has been fundraising tirelessly since he was a 14-year-old pupil at Didcot’s St Birinus School. Since then, he has raised over £57,300 for the Oxford Children’s Hospital alone as a gesture of thanks for care and support he has received from them over the years, and in particular following a major brain surgery he endured aged 12.
He established his own fundraising organisation, Play2Give, in 2007, to support the hospital and brain injury charity Headway Oxfordshire. Play2Give has become well known and respected throughout Oxfordshire since then and raises money by arranging various events and campaigns, including a popular annual football tournament.
His achievements are all the more remarkable considering he suffers from debilitating headaches and fatigue daily due to his medical condition. He has overcome the obstacles that his acquired brain injury brings and has been relentless in his fundraising efforts.
In addition to his Play2Give group, Andrew has also orchestrated a quirky feel-good festive campaign for the past two years to benefit his local community. Sleigh2Give, which was held in association with both Sainsbury’s and Tesco in Didcot as well as many companies, schools and individuals, raises not only money but also spreads good cheer and joy to sick children at Oxford Children’s Hospital thanks to donated toys, games and gifts that were delivered to the wards in time for Christmas.
The money he has raised over the last 10 years has helped the hospital purchase medical equipment above and beyond the normal NHS standards. In March this year, a patient room for teenagers – ‘The Play2Give Room’ – named after and funded by the organisation, was unveiled at the hospital.
Cash raised by Andrew and his team has also helped Headway Oxfordshire to redevelop its activity and rehabilitation centre and, currently to fund 8 new high tech pieces of customised equipment for the county’s first ‘neurological physiotherapy gym’ in the voluntary sector.
In addition, Andrew and his team has raised money for the John Radcliffe Paediatric Eye Fund; Bone Cancer Research; the Footsteps Foundation, which raises funds to provide innovative physiotherapy to children with neurological disorders; and SpecialEffect, an organisation dedicated to using technology to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities.
He also successfully led a campaign to help save Headway Oxfordshire from closure following budget cuts from the local council.
He is held in very high regard locally thanks to his fundraising work over the years. So much so that, when local taxi firm, Go Green Taxis, found out about Andrew’s medal, they kindly offered to transport him to and from the ceremony free of charge.
Andrew, is one of 30 medallists who will be honoured at a prestigious ceremony on July 6, at the Palace of Westminster. All BCA recipients have positively impact society undertaking various activities in support of a number of causes. Each will receive a Medal of Honour, inscribed with the words ‘For the Good of the Country’. Medallists are also invited to use the initials BCA after their name.
Speaking about his nomination, Andrew said: “It was a really lovely surprise to find out about the award and I’m really excited about it. I couldn’t believe it. It’s a really nice feeling, although, I always feel I don’t quite deserve it, as there are always others that do amazing good deeds, and more deserving. I love doing what I do to make a difference for others for charities closest to my heart, but’s really nice to get that nod of appreciation and thanks.
“It’s really lovely too to be receiving this in my 15th year of fundraising and the 10th anniversary of Play2Give. It’s a real tribute to the thousands of people who have helped, been involved with and supported me over the years including my small ever-growing P2G team. I couldn’t have done any of this without them!”
The awards are in partnership with customer experience management company, InMoment, and are supported by the world’s largest optical retailer, Specsavers; one of the largest property and leisure management, development and regeneration companies in the UK, Places for People; leading ethical law firm Irwin Mitchell; the UK and Europe’s leading palletised freight distribution company, Pall-Ex, owned by BCAs Patron Hilary Devey; and specialist marketing, PR and communications agency, Lime Marketing – who each had representatives at the assessment day and will be presenting the awards in July.
Andrew was nominated for a BCA by friend Linda Latter, who said: “He is a true, genuine young man with a real heart of gold, which is very rare to find these days and he doesn’t ever let life get him down. He lives life to the full and is the life and soul of the party despite his condition. His perseverance, unwavering enthusiasm, relentless commitment and his infectious character makes him so well loved by his circle of friends and family.”
***ENDS***
Dates of issue: xx.xx.17
For more information please contact Sarah Hughes, Senior Account Manager at Lime PR on 07718108695
Notes to Editors
The British Citizen Award recognises individuals that positively impact others and highlights the positive aspects of multi-cultural communities, workplaces, community groups and charities throughout the UK. It is accessible to all and serves to celebrate the good things that make Britain great.
Final call for teams to take part in tenth charity tournament
Release: June 10 2017
The final call is out for teams to sign up to a 6 a side football tournament supporting the children's hospital.
Didcot-based fundraising organisation, Play2Give is hosting its annual children's contest on Sunday, July 16.
The tournament, which will also include music, bouncy castle and slide, as well as a raffle and food, will be held at the grounds of Oxford City Football Club near to the John Radcliffe Hospital. This popular annual footballing fiesta is sponsored by Breckon & Breckon and Newbury Building Society.
This year's event, now in its ninth year, is open to under 12s and under 13s boys and under 14s girls teams.
Registrations close on June 20.
Entries cost £35 a team. Each team and youth players are encouraged to raise additional funds.
All proceeds raised will support the Oxford Children's Hospital's £2million appeal, which P2G is playing a huge part in to fund a new 62-bedroomed Ronald McDonald House for families as well as new play areas and medical equipment.
The event on July 16 as part of P2G's tenth anniversary hopes to net up to £5,000 to help the group of fundraisers raise £10,000 this year towards the hospital. Over £40,000 has been raised by Andy Baker and his team of volunteers in a decade of dedicated fundraising.
Founder Andy said: "We hope to see as many children's teams - from boys and girls - in under 12s, 13s and 14s sign up to take part have a match of the day and score superb goals to support and raise money to help a great cause. This event is all about children helping children in hospital.
"Our football tournaments are always hugely popular and as our main event since I set up P2G, they have become an favourite charity event in the county.
"Many teams that have taken part in the past including mens squads have classed 'P2G's tournaments' as 'being the best football tournament for charity' in the county. Which is to us as a team of volunteers a lovely sentiment and respect of all our hard work."
Aided by a number of friends each year supporting Andy to bring the football tournament to life include Dale Harris of Cowley who works for Elmer Cotton sports shop in Oxford.
Mr Harris, like Andy has dedicated the past 15 years to supporting the children's hospital, as his daughter Mya, 14, was born in 2002 with spina bifida. Mya has had countless operations and been treated since birth by the Oxford medics. Mr Harris is entering his own under-13s boy team once again.
Like Andy, Dale knows how important the facility, based at the John Radcliffe is, as in Mya's early days of treatment the dedicated specialist 106-bed unit didn't exist. Mr Harris has also thrown himself into abseils and fun runs over the years and helped steer the fundraising group to success in inspiration of his daughter's treatment.
As well as squads locally signing up, the contest has even already seen teams from Enfield in London, Thatcham, Swindon, and Sandhurst in Berkshire register to help the children's hospital, which treats young patients and their families from right across the country.
For more details or to sign up, see play2give.org.uk or email play2give@hotmail.com
The final call is out for teams to sign up to a 6 a side football tournament supporting the children's hospital.
Didcot-based fundraising organisation, Play2Give is hosting its annual children's contest on Sunday, July 16.
The tournament, which will also include music, bouncy castle and slide, as well as a raffle and food, will be held at the grounds of Oxford City Football Club near to the John Radcliffe Hospital. This popular annual footballing fiesta is sponsored by Breckon & Breckon and Newbury Building Society.
This year's event, now in its ninth year, is open to under 12s and under 13s boys and under 14s girls teams.
Registrations close on June 20.
Entries cost £35 a team. Each team and youth players are encouraged to raise additional funds.
All proceeds raised will support the Oxford Children's Hospital's £2million appeal, which P2G is playing a huge part in to fund a new 62-bedroomed Ronald McDonald House for families as well as new play areas and medical equipment.
The event on July 16 as part of P2G's tenth anniversary hopes to net up to £5,000 to help the group of fundraisers raise £10,000 this year towards the hospital. Over £40,000 has been raised by Andy Baker and his team of volunteers in a decade of dedicated fundraising.
Founder Andy said: "We hope to see as many children's teams - from boys and girls - in under 12s, 13s and 14s sign up to take part have a match of the day and score superb goals to support and raise money to help a great cause. This event is all about children helping children in hospital.
"Our football tournaments are always hugely popular and as our main event since I set up P2G, they have become an favourite charity event in the county.
"Many teams that have taken part in the past including mens squads have classed 'P2G's tournaments' as 'being the best football tournament for charity' in the county. Which is to us as a team of volunteers a lovely sentiment and respect of all our hard work."
Aided by a number of friends each year supporting Andy to bring the football tournament to life include Dale Harris of Cowley who works for Elmer Cotton sports shop in Oxford.
Mr Harris, like Andy has dedicated the past 15 years to supporting the children's hospital, as his daughter Mya, 14, was born in 2002 with spina bifida. Mya has had countless operations and been treated since birth by the Oxford medics. Mr Harris is entering his own under-13s boy team once again.
Like Andy, Dale knows how important the facility, based at the John Radcliffe is, as in Mya's early days of treatment the dedicated specialist 106-bed unit didn't exist. Mr Harris has also thrown himself into abseils and fun runs over the years and helped steer the fundraising group to success in inspiration of his daughter's treatment.
As well as squads locally signing up, the contest has even already seen teams from Enfield in London, Thatcham, Swindon, and Sandhurst in Berkshire register to help the children's hospital, which treats young patients and their families from right across the country.
For more details or to sign up, see play2give.org.uk or email play2give@hotmail.com
Didcot brothers ready to take the plunge for cause close to their hearts
Release: June 5 2017
Two Didcot brothers and a newspaper production manager are amongst a daring bunch getting ready to throw themselves out of a plane at 120mph in aid of Play2Give.
The Didcot-based fundraising group, created in September 2007, is marking its tenth anniversary this year and as part of this milestone celebration includes a tandem skydive for one brave group of guys in September.
The tandem skydivers are whetting themselves up quite literally to an air-raising appetite for the sky as they prepare to go freefalling 13,000-feet over Hinton Airfield near Banbury on September 3rd in a hope to fly in as much money as possible between them all for Play2Give as part of its '10k in 10' appeal.
The proceeds raised will support the fundraising group's birthday campaign to raise £10,000 for the brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire and as much as possible towards the Children's Hospital £2million fundraising appeal.
Amongst them are two brothers - both close friends of P2G's founder Andy Baker - Luke Norris, 23, and Matthew Norris, 21 - and for whom Andy is their inspiration.
The idea of the skydive originated two years ago when Luke, who works on counters at Sainsbury's in Didcot, became 21 and rather hastily mused over the idea of skydiving to raise funds for P2G - a cause which Luke holds with great passion - after seeing the dedication and passion of Andy. They are both best friends.
Luke first met Andy in early 2015 when P2G was the supermarket's charity of the year and Luke instantly became awe-inspired by the work and ethos of P2G's objectives and immediately struck up a close friendship with Andy.
Luke encouraged fellow 'counter colleagues' to join him in 'The Big Shave' - which was one initiative as part of the Didcot store's year of support - and saw Luke and two former colleagues become shorn to skinheads - raising over £482 - in aid of the fundraising organisation. The Didcot store has raised over £5,000 contributing towards the near £56,000 P2G has raised in almost a decade. P2G celebrates its tenth anniversary in September.
Luke said: "To say I am bricking it (skydive) is an understatement. I am absolutely petrified, but, I stand by my promise and as its for P2G, I am only too keen, as being part of the team so we can hopefully raise £10k (or more) this year. Shaving my head two years ago in comparison was a doddle, I really am quite anxious but cannot wait to go for this once in a lifetime chance.
"Andy always amazes me and despite what he lives with (brain injury) I always remain inspired by all the great he does, despite through challenging tough and hurdles he faces medically.
"I am hugely honoured to not only play my part in going down at 13,000-ft but also being part of such a wonderful organisation and assisting Andy, that I know P2G will keep on going and growing for years to come. Andy always makes me proud. Huge pleasure to be his 'best' friend"
Adding to his thoughts, Matthew said: " When I accepted the offer to be P2G’s Community Officer, I was eager to be actively involved in fundraising initiatives and event organising. However, being thrown out of a plane at 13,000 feet must have been in the small print of the job description! In all seriousness, the fundraising that Play2Give does makes a real difference.
"When I visited Oxford Children’s Hospital as part of the P2G 'Sleigh2Give' campaign at Christmas, I was struck by the deep appreciation by them for the work that Andy and the team are doing. Knowing the impact that the money that we’ve raised has had, I can’t wait to do the sky-dive!
"However scary the plummet might be, it’s incomparable to how scary it is for many of the poorly children and their parents, so doing the sky-dive is really an exciting way to contribute towards making the often scary experience of hospital treatment more comfortable.
"I’m really proud of what Andy has done for the cause, both individually and through P2G, and I’m looking forward to continuing that with him through the sky-dive and our many other events"
Andy, who became 29 on Monday celebrated part of his birthday with Luke, Matthew and close family friends, on Sunday.
The Oxfordshire Guardian & The Oxford Paper's very own production manager, Pete Herring, father of ?? , is also amongst those taking part to overcome the fear of all fears. Pete is playing his part to back our year of support for the award-winning group.
Pete added:
Other skydivers, which we will also feature over the weeks, include duty manager Ciaran Vinten, Willowbrook Leisure Centre; Shannon Whiteford; Kevin James of Oxford; David Presley of Didcot Rugby Club and James Hart, Didcot councillor.
While, more back down to earth and feet firmly on the ground, Daniel Underwood, 23, of Didcot, is preparing to face up to a brave shave after volunteering to shaving his head after meeting Andy in February, of which Dan was instantly inspired by Andy as a character, whilst also being encouraged by his partner, Helen Benson. Dan will brave the shave in the coming weeks.
To donate to the P2G, visit tinyurl.com/zksd8xx and let us know what you are doing to help our charity of the year.
Two Didcot brothers and a newspaper production manager are amongst a daring bunch getting ready to throw themselves out of a plane at 120mph in aid of Play2Give.
The Didcot-based fundraising group, created in September 2007, is marking its tenth anniversary this year and as part of this milestone celebration includes a tandem skydive for one brave group of guys in September.
The tandem skydivers are whetting themselves up quite literally to an air-raising appetite for the sky as they prepare to go freefalling 13,000-feet over Hinton Airfield near Banbury on September 3rd in a hope to fly in as much money as possible between them all for Play2Give as part of its '10k in 10' appeal.
The proceeds raised will support the fundraising group's birthday campaign to raise £10,000 for the brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire and as much as possible towards the Children's Hospital £2million fundraising appeal.
Amongst them are two brothers - both close friends of P2G's founder Andy Baker - Luke Norris, 23, and Matthew Norris, 21 - and for whom Andy is their inspiration.
The idea of the skydive originated two years ago when Luke, who works on counters at Sainsbury's in Didcot, became 21 and rather hastily mused over the idea of skydiving to raise funds for P2G - a cause which Luke holds with great passion - after seeing the dedication and passion of Andy. They are both best friends.
Luke first met Andy in early 2015 when P2G was the supermarket's charity of the year and Luke instantly became awe-inspired by the work and ethos of P2G's objectives and immediately struck up a close friendship with Andy.
Luke encouraged fellow 'counter colleagues' to join him in 'The Big Shave' - which was one initiative as part of the Didcot store's year of support - and saw Luke and two former colleagues become shorn to skinheads - raising over £482 - in aid of the fundraising organisation. The Didcot store has raised over £5,000 contributing towards the near £56,000 P2G has raised in almost a decade. P2G celebrates its tenth anniversary in September.
Luke said: "To say I am bricking it (skydive) is an understatement. I am absolutely petrified, but, I stand by my promise and as its for P2G, I am only too keen, as being part of the team so we can hopefully raise £10k (or more) this year. Shaving my head two years ago in comparison was a doddle, I really am quite anxious but cannot wait to go for this once in a lifetime chance.
"Andy always amazes me and despite what he lives with (brain injury) I always remain inspired by all the great he does, despite through challenging tough and hurdles he faces medically.
"I am hugely honoured to not only play my part in going down at 13,000-ft but also being part of such a wonderful organisation and assisting Andy, that I know P2G will keep on going and growing for years to come. Andy always makes me proud. Huge pleasure to be his 'best' friend"
Adding to his thoughts, Matthew said: " When I accepted the offer to be P2G’s Community Officer, I was eager to be actively involved in fundraising initiatives and event organising. However, being thrown out of a plane at 13,000 feet must have been in the small print of the job description! In all seriousness, the fundraising that Play2Give does makes a real difference.
"When I visited Oxford Children’s Hospital as part of the P2G 'Sleigh2Give' campaign at Christmas, I was struck by the deep appreciation by them for the work that Andy and the team are doing. Knowing the impact that the money that we’ve raised has had, I can’t wait to do the sky-dive!
"However scary the plummet might be, it’s incomparable to how scary it is for many of the poorly children and their parents, so doing the sky-dive is really an exciting way to contribute towards making the often scary experience of hospital treatment more comfortable.
"I’m really proud of what Andy has done for the cause, both individually and through P2G, and I’m looking forward to continuing that with him through the sky-dive and our many other events"
Andy, who became 29 on Monday celebrated part of his birthday with Luke, Matthew and close family friends, on Sunday.
The Oxfordshire Guardian & The Oxford Paper's very own production manager, Pete Herring, father of ?? , is also amongst those taking part to overcome the fear of all fears. Pete is playing his part to back our year of support for the award-winning group.
Pete added:
Other skydivers, which we will also feature over the weeks, include duty manager Ciaran Vinten, Willowbrook Leisure Centre; Shannon Whiteford; Kevin James of Oxford; David Presley of Didcot Rugby Club and James Hart, Didcot councillor.
While, more back down to earth and feet firmly on the ground, Daniel Underwood, 23, of Didcot, is preparing to face up to a brave shave after volunteering to shaving his head after meeting Andy in February, of which Dan was instantly inspired by Andy as a character, whilst also being encouraged by his partner, Helen Benson. Dan will brave the shave in the coming weeks.
To donate to the P2G, visit tinyurl.com/zksd8xx and let us know what you are doing to help our charity of the year.
Back injury fails to deter Witney man's marathon achievement
Release: March 20 2017
Even a back injury couldn’t stop one man from Witney conquering his quest to complete the Reading Half Marathon earlier this month.
Matthew Hambridge, pictured, was determined to get round the 13.1-mile gruelling course on March 5 which started at Green Park and finished at the Madejski Stadium and in doing so he has managed to raise close to £200 for Play2Give.
Matthew said: “Tough run was the Reading half marathon, especially when I go to mile 10. The legs were really tired but the thought of everyone who sponsored me and seeing lots of other runners working so hard it got me to the end.
“What also spurred me on to cross that finish line in sight was the visions of all the poorly children in the hospital that all the money I’ve helped raise will benefit. Being a dad of three the children’s hospital is something close to my heart, knowing that we have such an amazing facility on our doorstep and that it should never be taken for granted as no-one knows when they may need to use it.
“And, for me, supporting P2G is a no-brainer, it’s my favourite cause, Andy Baker and the team do incredible work tirelessly all year round and it’s important we continue to support them so they can keep up their great work for children in hospital and so many other good causes locally.”
Mr Hambridge, 35, who works at Cottsway Housing Association in Witney, has supported P2G for many years after first taking part in a football tournament in 2009 which was when he became inspired to help Andrew Baker and the team raise funds for various local causes, in particular the Children’s Hospital at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Even a back injury couldn’t stop one man from Witney conquering his quest to complete the Reading Half Marathon earlier this month.
Matthew Hambridge, pictured, was determined to get round the 13.1-mile gruelling course on March 5 which started at Green Park and finished at the Madejski Stadium and in doing so he has managed to raise close to £200 for Play2Give.
Matthew said: “Tough run was the Reading half marathon, especially when I go to mile 10. The legs were really tired but the thought of everyone who sponsored me and seeing lots of other runners working so hard it got me to the end.
“What also spurred me on to cross that finish line in sight was the visions of all the poorly children in the hospital that all the money I’ve helped raise will benefit. Being a dad of three the children’s hospital is something close to my heart, knowing that we have such an amazing facility on our doorstep and that it should never be taken for granted as no-one knows when they may need to use it.
“And, for me, supporting P2G is a no-brainer, it’s my favourite cause, Andy Baker and the team do incredible work tirelessly all year round and it’s important we continue to support them so they can keep up their great work for children in hospital and so many other good causes locally.”
Mr Hambridge, 35, who works at Cottsway Housing Association in Witney, has supported P2G for many years after first taking part in a football tournament in 2009 which was when he became inspired to help Andrew Baker and the team raise funds for various local causes, in particular the Children’s Hospital at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Countdown is on to kick off for magnificent match of the day
Release: March 18 2017
The countdown is on to a magnificent match of the day as an award-winning fundraising organisation launches its ninth football tournament.
Play2Give, set up by Andrew Baker from Didcot, in 2007 has launched its football tournament – the fifth as a kids format – and appeals for teams in under 13 and under 14 age groups – to sign up and help children in hospital.
The 6-a-side contest, on Sunday, July 16, sponsored for a sixth year by estate agents Breckon & Breckon, will raise funds for the Oxford Children’s Hospital which is aiming to raise £2million this year to help fund the creation of a Ronald McDonald House on the site of the John Radcliffe – a home from home accommodation for families.
The football tournaments have been P2G’s main fundraiser since being created by Andrew of Great Western Drive, Didcot, and in previous years have seen as much as £7,000 raised.
This year’s event, again generously host at Oxford City Football Club, hopes to raise up to £5,000 as part of Play2Give’s tenth anniversary year.
The fundraising group, Play2Give, hopes to raise £10k in 10 this year for the Children’s Hospital (CHOX), which also celebrates its tenth anniversary. The group were awarded in the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust Staff Recognition Awards last December, where they scooped the ‘Bronze Supporter of the Year’ Award in recognition of their sterling efforts.
Play2Give has already raised over £2,000 in the start of its special tenth anniversary fundraising crusade, and funds raised through the football fiesta on July 16 will also help fund the creation of extra play areas and new specialised medical equipment for the tens of thousands of youngsters that the children’s hospital cares for every year.
Play2Give has raised over £55,220 since its inception - £36,750 of this from its popular football tournaments - which have been labelled ‘one of the best in the county for charity’ by past teams.
The P2G team, including former St Birinus School pupil, Andy and fellow member Dale Harris, recently celebrated the unveiling of the organisation’s very own room on Melanie’s Ward at the hospital after raising over £40,165 in a decade. They now hope to achieve a £10,000 target to add to their achievements for CHOX by the end of the year. Fundraising well and truly kicked off in style with a family fun day and spinathon host by Didcot’s Willowbrook Leisure Centre which raised over £530 and a collection at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards in January raised over £247.
Andy was inspired to begin raising money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital in 2003 aged 14 after receiving treatment throughout childhood after suffering a brain injury at birth. In 2001, he underwent brain surgery at the former Radcliffe Infirmary which was the catalyst for him to start cash collecting at St Birinus School in Didcot in 2003 – the proceeds of which helped to build the 106-bedpurpose-built unit which opened in 2007.
A multitude of volunteers and helpers along with Andy and Dale, including Teresa Strike and Elaine Childs amongst many others, make up the Didcot BACA-award winning Play2Give team – who, in September, will officially celebrate the organisation’s tenth birthday with a black-tie charity ball on 29th September.
As well as the main attraction of the beautiful game of football, there will also be a bouncy castle, a coconut shy, food and refreshments and a raffle with music making up for an ever-popular event which has become a firm favourite in the county’s charity calendar.
Under 13s and Under 14s boys teams wishing to enter should email play2give@hotmail.com or see play2give.org.uk for more details where registration forms can also be downloaded. Each team is asked to raise sponsorship and entries close on June 20th.
To donate to P2G’s 10k in 10 appeal, visit make-a-donation.org/campaign/10k-in-10-appeal
The countdown is on to a magnificent match of the day as an award-winning fundraising organisation launches its ninth football tournament.
Play2Give, set up by Andrew Baker from Didcot, in 2007 has launched its football tournament – the fifth as a kids format – and appeals for teams in under 13 and under 14 age groups – to sign up and help children in hospital.
The 6-a-side contest, on Sunday, July 16, sponsored for a sixth year by estate agents Breckon & Breckon, will raise funds for the Oxford Children’s Hospital which is aiming to raise £2million this year to help fund the creation of a Ronald McDonald House on the site of the John Radcliffe – a home from home accommodation for families.
The football tournaments have been P2G’s main fundraiser since being created by Andrew of Great Western Drive, Didcot, and in previous years have seen as much as £7,000 raised.
This year’s event, again generously host at Oxford City Football Club, hopes to raise up to £5,000 as part of Play2Give’s tenth anniversary year.
The fundraising group, Play2Give, hopes to raise £10k in 10 this year for the Children’s Hospital (CHOX), which also celebrates its tenth anniversary. The group were awarded in the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust Staff Recognition Awards last December, where they scooped the ‘Bronze Supporter of the Year’ Award in recognition of their sterling efforts.
Play2Give has already raised over £2,000 in the start of its special tenth anniversary fundraising crusade, and funds raised through the football fiesta on July 16 will also help fund the creation of extra play areas and new specialised medical equipment for the tens of thousands of youngsters that the children’s hospital cares for every year.
Play2Give has raised over £55,220 since its inception - £36,750 of this from its popular football tournaments - which have been labelled ‘one of the best in the county for charity’ by past teams.
The P2G team, including former St Birinus School pupil, Andy and fellow member Dale Harris, recently celebrated the unveiling of the organisation’s very own room on Melanie’s Ward at the hospital after raising over £40,165 in a decade. They now hope to achieve a £10,000 target to add to their achievements for CHOX by the end of the year. Fundraising well and truly kicked off in style with a family fun day and spinathon host by Didcot’s Willowbrook Leisure Centre which raised over £530 and a collection at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards in January raised over £247.
Andy was inspired to begin raising money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital in 2003 aged 14 after receiving treatment throughout childhood after suffering a brain injury at birth. In 2001, he underwent brain surgery at the former Radcliffe Infirmary which was the catalyst for him to start cash collecting at St Birinus School in Didcot in 2003 – the proceeds of which helped to build the 106-bedpurpose-built unit which opened in 2007.
A multitude of volunteers and helpers along with Andy and Dale, including Teresa Strike and Elaine Childs amongst many others, make up the Didcot BACA-award winning Play2Give team – who, in September, will officially celebrate the organisation’s tenth birthday with a black-tie charity ball on 29th September.
As well as the main attraction of the beautiful game of football, there will also be a bouncy castle, a coconut shy, food and refreshments and a raffle with music making up for an ever-popular event which has become a firm favourite in the county’s charity calendar.
Under 13s and Under 14s boys teams wishing to enter should email play2give@hotmail.com or see play2give.org.uk for more details where registration forms can also be downloaded. Each team is asked to raise sponsorship and entries close on June 20th.
To donate to P2G’s 10k in 10 appeal, visit make-a-donation.org/campaign/10k-in-10-appeal
Witney man ready to lace up his trainers for fundraisers Play2Give
Release: March 9 2017
A Witney man is getting ready to lace up his trainers and pound the streets of Reading this month to support an Oxfordshire fundraising organisation that changes young lives.
Matthew Hambridge, 35, who works at Cottsway Housing Association in Witney, is stepping up to take on his second half marathon in five months to raise funds for Play2Give.
Matthew, proud father of three, will be pounding the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday, March 19th to support P2G’s £10k in 10 appeal. The proceeds of which he raises through sponsorship will be put towards their 10th anniversary fundraising for the Children’s Hospital at the John Radcliffe.
Matt, who is no stranger to half marathons, completed last October’s Oxford Half Marathon and has supported P2G for a number of years, a cause close to his heart. His efforts to raise funds for P2G helped the group achieve a £40,000 target to sponsor its room on the teenage ward at the children’s hospital, which also over the years helped pay for vital medical equipment, entertainment, and medical research after the hospital was opened in 2007.
Mr Hambridge says: “I became inspired to support the work and fundraising ethos of P2G after meeting the founder and former Chox patient, Andrew Baker. I met Andrew in 2009 at a football tournament of which I entered a team, and also by knowing Dale Harris over many years, whose 14-year-old daughter Mya has been treated by the hospital since day one for spina bifida, so I wanted to be involved in some way.
"I have also played in a couple of charity matches as well as foregoing shaving for a month for 'Movember’ and help sell wristbands as P2G’s merchandise, all over the years to help raise funds and I'll continue to do so for years to come."
He hopes to raise up to £200 through sponsorship.
Matthew can be sponsored at:-
www.make-a-donation.org/fundraisers/matthew-hambridge-2
Funds he raises will support P2G’s aim to help the Children’s Hospital raise £2 million this year to fund a new parental accommodation unit, specialised medical equipment and new play areas.
The 13.1-mile gruelling run on the 19th March starts in the town’s Green Park and finishes at the Madjeski Stadium.
Craig Harris, of Bicester, whose helped the core P2G team for many years, is also gearing up for his own running mission. He is taking part in the London Marathon next month to raise money for the Children's Hospital through the 26.2-miles of the capital.
Picture – Attached. Matthew Hambridge after completing the Oxford Half Marathon last October. He will again adorn his customised vest on the run to raise awareness of P2G and the Children’s Hospital.
A Witney man is getting ready to lace up his trainers and pound the streets of Reading this month to support an Oxfordshire fundraising organisation that changes young lives.
Matthew Hambridge, 35, who works at Cottsway Housing Association in Witney, is stepping up to take on his second half marathon in five months to raise funds for Play2Give.
Matthew, proud father of three, will be pounding the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday, March 19th to support P2G’s £10k in 10 appeal. The proceeds of which he raises through sponsorship will be put towards their 10th anniversary fundraising for the Children’s Hospital at the John Radcliffe.
Matt, who is no stranger to half marathons, completed last October’s Oxford Half Marathon and has supported P2G for a number of years, a cause close to his heart. His efforts to raise funds for P2G helped the group achieve a £40,000 target to sponsor its room on the teenage ward at the children’s hospital, which also over the years helped pay for vital medical equipment, entertainment, and medical research after the hospital was opened in 2007.
Mr Hambridge says: “I became inspired to support the work and fundraising ethos of P2G after meeting the founder and former Chox patient, Andrew Baker. I met Andrew in 2009 at a football tournament of which I entered a team, and also by knowing Dale Harris over many years, whose 14-year-old daughter Mya has been treated by the hospital since day one for spina bifida, so I wanted to be involved in some way.
"I have also played in a couple of charity matches as well as foregoing shaving for a month for 'Movember’ and help sell wristbands as P2G’s merchandise, all over the years to help raise funds and I'll continue to do so for years to come."
He hopes to raise up to £200 through sponsorship.
Matthew can be sponsored at:-
www.make-a-donation.org/fundraisers/matthew-hambridge-2
Funds he raises will support P2G’s aim to help the Children’s Hospital raise £2 million this year to fund a new parental accommodation unit, specialised medical equipment and new play areas.
The 13.1-mile gruelling run on the 19th March starts in the town’s Green Park and finishes at the Madjeski Stadium.
Craig Harris, of Bicester, whose helped the core P2G team for many years, is also gearing up for his own running mission. He is taking part in the London Marathon next month to raise money for the Children's Hospital through the 26.2-miles of the capital.
Picture – Attached. Matthew Hambridge after completing the Oxford Half Marathon last October. He will again adorn his customised vest on the run to raise awareness of P2G and the Children’s Hospital.
Fabulous five ready to wade, crawl, jump, climb, run and brave the lake all for a good cause
Release: February 24 2017
A team of five will tackle the might of next month's Monster Race to support a local fundraising organisation in its 10th anniversary year.
Leaseguard Group Ltd, based at Unipart House on Garsington Road in Cowley, Oxford, has assembled a squad to defeat the mighty obstacle assault run at Cornbury Park in West Oxfordshire on April 1st with an aim to help Play2Give help local people in need.
The contract lifecycle management company, which has been running for 25 years, helps NHS Trusts generate savings on their maintenance and leasing contracts.
The team of five, led by Lee Edwards, from Didcot, also includes Lesley Saunders, Jonathan Wickens, and husband and wife pair, Charlie and Martyn Sadler. They hope to raise £400.
The Monster Race will see the fabulous five take on a range of obstacles in 5k or 10k which all includes lots of mud and water including the bog of eternal stench, the great wall, hole in the wall, sandbag slog, tyre crawls, monsterphobia, barbed wire crawls, and the meatgrinder to name just a few, making up a sure fire whetting of an appetite of an event.
Lee, who has been friends with P2G's founder, Andrew Baker, from Didcot, since they first met in 2008 whilst working together at Miele in Abingdon, says: “Andrew’s an inspiration and we are all honoured to take part in the gruelling challenge on Saturday, April 1st to support him and this fantastic cause”.
Lee added: “Andrew has worked tirelessly (with the support of others) to raise extraordinary amounts of money along with some really fantastic initiatives, such as football tournaments which I have had the pleasure of playing in. His (Andrew’s) energy and dedication despite his own challenges cease to amaze!”
P2G, the Guardian and The Oxford Paper's charity of the year, has raised over £55,670 for a catalogue of local charities since Andrew formed the fundraising organisation in September 2007. Of this the children's hospital has benefited from more than £40,000.
Andy, born with a brain injury, has been raising money for charity since the age of 14 in 2003 when he was inspired by treatment he had received including major brain surgery aged 12 from a tumour that developed following a head injury in a playground accident aged eight.
Lee first got involved in supporting P2G's efforts when he played in a Miele team in a football tournament in July 2008.
The funds Leaseguard raise will go into P2G's £10k in 10 appeal this year as part of its 10th anniversary charity campaign. The Childrens Hospital at the John Radcliffe and brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire, will both benefit from the proceeds raised from a wide array of events and initiatives this year including the beastly effort of the Monster Run.
To sponsor the Leaseguard team, see http://make-a-donation.org/fundraisers/team-p2g
P2G has already raised over £1,900 in its £10k in 10 appeal. And with a host of events in the pipeline they have high hopes of achieving their special milestone year's target, with help from Oxfordshire Guardian and The Oxford Paper readers and staff.
More information on P2G at play2give.org.uk
Attached: Picture - Credit - Lee Edwards - 'Some of the Leaseguard Monster Run team ready to pull on their trainers and their running gear to take on the mighty Monster Run'
A team of five will tackle the might of next month's Monster Race to support a local fundraising organisation in its 10th anniversary year.
Leaseguard Group Ltd, based at Unipart House on Garsington Road in Cowley, Oxford, has assembled a squad to defeat the mighty obstacle assault run at Cornbury Park in West Oxfordshire on April 1st with an aim to help Play2Give help local people in need.
The contract lifecycle management company, which has been running for 25 years, helps NHS Trusts generate savings on their maintenance and leasing contracts.
The team of five, led by Lee Edwards, from Didcot, also includes Lesley Saunders, Jonathan Wickens, and husband and wife pair, Charlie and Martyn Sadler. They hope to raise £400.
The Monster Race will see the fabulous five take on a range of obstacles in 5k or 10k which all includes lots of mud and water including the bog of eternal stench, the great wall, hole in the wall, sandbag slog, tyre crawls, monsterphobia, barbed wire crawls, and the meatgrinder to name just a few, making up a sure fire whetting of an appetite of an event.
Lee, who has been friends with P2G's founder, Andrew Baker, from Didcot, since they first met in 2008 whilst working together at Miele in Abingdon, says: “Andrew’s an inspiration and we are all honoured to take part in the gruelling challenge on Saturday, April 1st to support him and this fantastic cause”.
Lee added: “Andrew has worked tirelessly (with the support of others) to raise extraordinary amounts of money along with some really fantastic initiatives, such as football tournaments which I have had the pleasure of playing in. His (Andrew’s) energy and dedication despite his own challenges cease to amaze!”
P2G, the Guardian and The Oxford Paper's charity of the year, has raised over £55,670 for a catalogue of local charities since Andrew formed the fundraising organisation in September 2007. Of this the children's hospital has benefited from more than £40,000.
Andy, born with a brain injury, has been raising money for charity since the age of 14 in 2003 when he was inspired by treatment he had received including major brain surgery aged 12 from a tumour that developed following a head injury in a playground accident aged eight.
Lee first got involved in supporting P2G's efforts when he played in a Miele team in a football tournament in July 2008.
The funds Leaseguard raise will go into P2G's £10k in 10 appeal this year as part of its 10th anniversary charity campaign. The Childrens Hospital at the John Radcliffe and brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire, will both benefit from the proceeds raised from a wide array of events and initiatives this year including the beastly effort of the Monster Run.
To sponsor the Leaseguard team, see http://make-a-donation.org/fundraisers/team-p2g
P2G has already raised over £1,900 in its £10k in 10 appeal. And with a host of events in the pipeline they have high hopes of achieving their special milestone year's target, with help from Oxfordshire Guardian and The Oxford Paper readers and staff.
More information on P2G at play2give.org.uk
Attached: Picture - Credit - Lee Edwards - 'Some of the Leaseguard Monster Run team ready to pull on their trainers and their running gear to take on the mighty Monster Run'
80s and 90s Spinathon for Play2Give
Release: November 18 2016
On Saturday November 26th the Willowbrook Leisure Centre in Didcot will be hosting a fun-filled Spinathon to raise money for Play2Give.
The 4-hour long endurance spinning bike challenge will see competitors take part in one hour sessions over four hours starting from 9.15am to raise money for Play2Give's appeal for the Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire charities.
As part of the event there will be an 80s and 90s theme fancy dress giving participants the option to dress up and raise some laughs along the way, whilst pedalling along fast mad and hard to 90s music.
A time for colourful tracksuits, the Zubaz pants, Air Jordans and wide leg pants, that tie a hoodie round the waists and baseball caps flipped back for two of the best decades. Last year Willowbrook, part of Soll Leisure, held a Superheroes Spinathon for Play2Give and raised over £380 for the cause.
Registrations are open, and places can be booked at £5 a session (or £20 for all four), by calling the centre on Bowmont Water, on 01235 812058, emailing info@soll-leisure.co.uk or by calling in to the centre.
The money raised for Play2Give will support the Oxford Children’s Hospital tenth anniversary £2m appeal to fund 60 new family rooms. Proceeds donated by the Didcot BACA-Award winning fundraising organisation to Headway Oxfordshire will support the Kennington brain-injury charity’s appeal for the county’s first ever Neurological Physiotherapy Gym. The specialised gym, which will be based at the Kennington centre, will help create this state of the art facility with equipment specially designed for people with brain injuries and expert physiotherapy equipment close to home.
Play2Give’s founder Andrew Baker, 28, from Didcot was born with a brain injury and receives weekly rehabilitation support from Headway, whom he has been under since the age of 23. Andrew is a former Children’s Hospital patient who underwent major brain surgery aged 12. He has been raising money for the hospital since the age of 14.
Play2Give has gone on to donate over £52,360 since 2007.
More information can be found at play2give.org.uk/80s--90s-spinathon
For quotes, contact:-
Richard Claydon, Community Development Manager, Soll Leisure, on 01235 861289 or rclaydon@soll-leisure.co.uk or Lukas Aleksandravicius, Sales Advisor at Willowbrook on 01235 812058 or laleksandravicius@parkclub.co.uk
On Saturday November 26th the Willowbrook Leisure Centre in Didcot will be hosting a fun-filled Spinathon to raise money for Play2Give.
The 4-hour long endurance spinning bike challenge will see competitors take part in one hour sessions over four hours starting from 9.15am to raise money for Play2Give's appeal for the Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire charities.
As part of the event there will be an 80s and 90s theme fancy dress giving participants the option to dress up and raise some laughs along the way, whilst pedalling along fast mad and hard to 90s music.
A time for colourful tracksuits, the Zubaz pants, Air Jordans and wide leg pants, that tie a hoodie round the waists and baseball caps flipped back for two of the best decades. Last year Willowbrook, part of Soll Leisure, held a Superheroes Spinathon for Play2Give and raised over £380 for the cause.
Registrations are open, and places can be booked at £5 a session (or £20 for all four), by calling the centre on Bowmont Water, on 01235 812058, emailing info@soll-leisure.co.uk or by calling in to the centre.
The money raised for Play2Give will support the Oxford Children’s Hospital tenth anniversary £2m appeal to fund 60 new family rooms. Proceeds donated by the Didcot BACA-Award winning fundraising organisation to Headway Oxfordshire will support the Kennington brain-injury charity’s appeal for the county’s first ever Neurological Physiotherapy Gym. The specialised gym, which will be based at the Kennington centre, will help create this state of the art facility with equipment specially designed for people with brain injuries and expert physiotherapy equipment close to home.
Play2Give’s founder Andrew Baker, 28, from Didcot was born with a brain injury and receives weekly rehabilitation support from Headway, whom he has been under since the age of 23. Andrew is a former Children’s Hospital patient who underwent major brain surgery aged 12. He has been raising money for the hospital since the age of 14.
Play2Give has gone on to donate over £52,360 since 2007.
More information can be found at play2give.org.uk/80s--90s-spinathon
For quotes, contact:-
Richard Claydon, Community Development Manager, Soll Leisure, on 01235 861289 or rclaydon@soll-leisure.co.uk or Lukas Aleksandravicius, Sales Advisor at Willowbrook on 01235 812058 or laleksandravicius@parkclub.co.uk
Sleigh2Give appeal whizzes on as biggest ever gift appeal for young hospital patients gears up
Release: October 21 2016
This year's Sleigh2Give campaign has ramped up a notch with the festive appeal for poorly children in hospital the biggest drive to date with more companies getting involved and not just from Didcot either, as the passion and inspirational character of a Didcot man who nearly 15 years on in fundraising is still going strong, has moved the support of generous supporters to get on board!
The appeal, the second, is Play2Give's annual festive drive to spread cheer, smiles and joy to poorly children at the Oxford Children's Hospital this Christmas. Following the success of last year's Sleigh2Give which saw 3 sacksful of toys and gifts donated, Play2Give founder, Andrew Baker, has already received an astounding level of support from companies, schools and even pubs for this year's round of 'Give A Gift For A CHOX Kid', this year being sponsored by Go Green Taxis. The latest firm to get on board is countywide estate agents, Breckon & Breckon, who sponsor the fundraising organisation's annual football tournaments. With a network of six offices, they are delighted to be one of many donation zones this year.
Set up by Andrew, 28, who has a brain injury, in 2007, the fundraising organisation has netted in over £52,360 over the past nine years. Over £39,000 has been donated to the Children's Hospital at the John Radcliffe by the group, and has been shortlisted in the Didcot Business & Community Awards 2016, in the 'Best Fundraising Award' category. The winners of the BACAs - the Oscars of Didcot - will be announced at a prestigious awards gala on November 18th at the Cornerstone in the town. The organisation, set to celebrate its tenth anniversary next year, won at last year's BACAs for successful innovative events and campaigns.
Managing director of Breckon & Breckon, Keith Stacey, says: 'Following our continued involvement with the Play2Give summer football tournament, we are pleased to extend our support for the special Christmas 'Give a Gift For a CHOX Kid' appeal as part of our commitment to working closely with our local communities. Breckon & Breckon and our network of offices across Oxfordshire are delighted to be drop off points, so please bring along your donation for this good cause.'
Andrew was inspired to support the Children's Hospital after suffering a brain injury at birth, and throughout childhood treatment including major brain surgery aged 12 in 2001, he was one of the first young supporters to begin raising money for the Oxford Children's Hospital. He lead and inspired fundraising efforts at St Birinus School, which in 2003 earnt him the title of the 'Heart FM Local Young Hero' and at Didcot Girls' School as a sixth former. In 2013 he won the Oxfordshire Youth Enterprise Award and has gone on to raise with the help and support of thousands of friends and fundraising ambassadors, over £65,000 for local causes close to his heart, such as the Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire.
Sponsors Go Green Taxis spokesperson, Hannah Wilcock, says: 'Go Green Taxis are very proud to be sponsoring and supporting such a worthwhile campaign that will really make a difference to the children within our local community. We love to be a part of the community and to support local charities and so we are very honoured to be a part of this special campaign. All donations are going towards a fantastic cause and Go Green are proud to be involved with this. Andrew and his team works very hard organising many fantastic campaigns for this charity and Go Green cannot wait to be a part of this and many more to come!"
Elf Andrew and his team of helpers will deliver presents to the wards of the hospital in the final week before Christmas. Donations have already been pouring in, even more than this time last year, and you can donate at one of many other donation points including Tesco Didcot on 25th-27th November, The Royal Oak, on Park Road, Didcot, The Ladygrove Generous George and UTC Oxfordshire Sport all in Didcot, Oxford Harlequins RFC, Champions in Wallingford, to many others, which keep growing in support, with the full list available with fuller details of how to get involved, sponsor or make a donation, at www.play2give.org.uk.
This year's Sleigh2Give campaign has ramped up a notch with the festive appeal for poorly children in hospital the biggest drive to date with more companies getting involved and not just from Didcot either, as the passion and inspirational character of a Didcot man who nearly 15 years on in fundraising is still going strong, has moved the support of generous supporters to get on board!
The appeal, the second, is Play2Give's annual festive drive to spread cheer, smiles and joy to poorly children at the Oxford Children's Hospital this Christmas. Following the success of last year's Sleigh2Give which saw 3 sacksful of toys and gifts donated, Play2Give founder, Andrew Baker, has already received an astounding level of support from companies, schools and even pubs for this year's round of 'Give A Gift For A CHOX Kid', this year being sponsored by Go Green Taxis. The latest firm to get on board is countywide estate agents, Breckon & Breckon, who sponsor the fundraising organisation's annual football tournaments. With a network of six offices, they are delighted to be one of many donation zones this year.
Set up by Andrew, 28, who has a brain injury, in 2007, the fundraising organisation has netted in over £52,360 over the past nine years. Over £39,000 has been donated to the Children's Hospital at the John Radcliffe by the group, and has been shortlisted in the Didcot Business & Community Awards 2016, in the 'Best Fundraising Award' category. The winners of the BACAs - the Oscars of Didcot - will be announced at a prestigious awards gala on November 18th at the Cornerstone in the town. The organisation, set to celebrate its tenth anniversary next year, won at last year's BACAs for successful innovative events and campaigns.
Managing director of Breckon & Breckon, Keith Stacey, says: 'Following our continued involvement with the Play2Give summer football tournament, we are pleased to extend our support for the special Christmas 'Give a Gift For a CHOX Kid' appeal as part of our commitment to working closely with our local communities. Breckon & Breckon and our network of offices across Oxfordshire are delighted to be drop off points, so please bring along your donation for this good cause.'
Andrew was inspired to support the Children's Hospital after suffering a brain injury at birth, and throughout childhood treatment including major brain surgery aged 12 in 2001, he was one of the first young supporters to begin raising money for the Oxford Children's Hospital. He lead and inspired fundraising efforts at St Birinus School, which in 2003 earnt him the title of the 'Heart FM Local Young Hero' and at Didcot Girls' School as a sixth former. In 2013 he won the Oxfordshire Youth Enterprise Award and has gone on to raise with the help and support of thousands of friends and fundraising ambassadors, over £65,000 for local causes close to his heart, such as the Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire.
Sponsors Go Green Taxis spokesperson, Hannah Wilcock, says: 'Go Green Taxis are very proud to be sponsoring and supporting such a worthwhile campaign that will really make a difference to the children within our local community. We love to be a part of the community and to support local charities and so we are very honoured to be a part of this special campaign. All donations are going towards a fantastic cause and Go Green are proud to be involved with this. Andrew and his team works very hard organising many fantastic campaigns for this charity and Go Green cannot wait to be a part of this and many more to come!"
Elf Andrew and his team of helpers will deliver presents to the wards of the hospital in the final week before Christmas. Donations have already been pouring in, even more than this time last year, and you can donate at one of many other donation points including Tesco Didcot on 25th-27th November, The Royal Oak, on Park Road, Didcot, The Ladygrove Generous George and UTC Oxfordshire Sport all in Didcot, Oxford Harlequins RFC, Champions in Wallingford, to many others, which keep growing in support, with the full list available with fuller details of how to get involved, sponsor or make a donation, at www.play2give.org.uk.
Give a gift hospital present appeal is launched by Play2Give
Release: September 6 2016
Award-winning Oxfordshire fundraising organisation Play2Give is set to launch its second festive campaign to brighten up the lives of sick children in hospital this year.
The group, who last year ran their very first ‘Sleigh2Give’ campaign and delivered over 3 sacksful of donated gifts of toys to the Oxford Children’s Hospital wards, are about to launch their second appeal to follow up on last year’s success.
‘Give A Gift For A CHOX Kid’ is the brainwave of Play2Give founder Andrew Baker, 28, from Didcot. Andrew, who began fundraising aged 14 as a schoolboy at St Birinus School in Didcot, formed Play2Give in 2007. Together with a team of friends, the fundraising organisation – which won the Best Fundraising Award in the Didcot Business & Community Awards 2015 last November and was nominated for the Charity of the Year and Best Team of Volunteers in May’s Oxfordshire Charity & Volunteer Awards, has now raised and donated over £51,800 to a range of charitable causes in the county. Causes including Headway Oxfordshire have benefited with £39,000 going to the Children’s Hospital.
The P2G group are striving to raise a total of £40,000 for the hospital in order for Play2Give to have its very own funded and named room on the teenage ward, and the team are reaching ever nearer to this very special goal.
Last December, Andrew dressed as an Elf along with two Santa’s delivered the bundles of gifts and brought special Christmas cheer and joy to children unfortunate to have spent time in hospital over the festive period.
This year, Andrew is aiming higher and hopes to expand on Sleigh2Give and is appealing for Oxfordshire residents and companies to dig deep with donations of new and unused toys. They can also donate via a special donation giving page.
This year’s Christmas toy appeal is already being backed by Champion & Co in Wallingford, the Performing Angels & Stars Stage & Dance School Didcot & Wallingford, and Kidactive Oxford.
Andrew was inspired to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, which opened in 2007 following a £15m fundraising campaign after receiving treatment throughout his childhood, including major brain surgery aged 12. He suffered a brain injury at birth, and has gone on to raise over £66,000 over near fifteen years. Play2Give, along with the Children’s Hospital, will both celebrate their tenth anniversaries in 2017. Andrew attends the Headway Oxfordshire activity & rehabilitation centre in Kennington once a week as part of his ongoing rehabilitation from his brain injury sustained at birth. He suffered a further head injury aged 8. In 2013 Andrew was named winner of the Inspirational Entrepreneur Award in the Oxfordshire Youth Awards. He has been nominated for a ‘British Citizen Award’ and will find out in early December if he has been selected to receive the honour.
To speak to Andrew, call 07939064308, email baker.andrew@hotmail.co.uk . More information on Play2Give can be found at www.play2give.org.uk
Award-winning Oxfordshire fundraising organisation Play2Give is set to launch its second festive campaign to brighten up the lives of sick children in hospital this year.
The group, who last year ran their very first ‘Sleigh2Give’ campaign and delivered over 3 sacksful of donated gifts of toys to the Oxford Children’s Hospital wards, are about to launch their second appeal to follow up on last year’s success.
‘Give A Gift For A CHOX Kid’ is the brainwave of Play2Give founder Andrew Baker, 28, from Didcot. Andrew, who began fundraising aged 14 as a schoolboy at St Birinus School in Didcot, formed Play2Give in 2007. Together with a team of friends, the fundraising organisation – which won the Best Fundraising Award in the Didcot Business & Community Awards 2015 last November and was nominated for the Charity of the Year and Best Team of Volunteers in May’s Oxfordshire Charity & Volunteer Awards, has now raised and donated over £51,800 to a range of charitable causes in the county. Causes including Headway Oxfordshire have benefited with £39,000 going to the Children’s Hospital.
The P2G group are striving to raise a total of £40,000 for the hospital in order for Play2Give to have its very own funded and named room on the teenage ward, and the team are reaching ever nearer to this very special goal.
Last December, Andrew dressed as an Elf along with two Santa’s delivered the bundles of gifts and brought special Christmas cheer and joy to children unfortunate to have spent time in hospital over the festive period.
This year, Andrew is aiming higher and hopes to expand on Sleigh2Give and is appealing for Oxfordshire residents and companies to dig deep with donations of new and unused toys. They can also donate via a special donation giving page.
This year’s Christmas toy appeal is already being backed by Champion & Co in Wallingford, the Performing Angels & Stars Stage & Dance School Didcot & Wallingford, and Kidactive Oxford.
Andrew was inspired to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, which opened in 2007 following a £15m fundraising campaign after receiving treatment throughout his childhood, including major brain surgery aged 12. He suffered a brain injury at birth, and has gone on to raise over £66,000 over near fifteen years. Play2Give, along with the Children’s Hospital, will both celebrate their tenth anniversaries in 2017. Andrew attends the Headway Oxfordshire activity & rehabilitation centre in Kennington once a week as part of his ongoing rehabilitation from his brain injury sustained at birth. He suffered a further head injury aged 8. In 2013 Andrew was named winner of the Inspirational Entrepreneur Award in the Oxfordshire Youth Awards. He has been nominated for a ‘British Citizen Award’ and will find out in early December if he has been selected to receive the honour.
To speak to Andrew, call 07939064308, email baker.andrew@hotmail.co.uk . More information on Play2Give can be found at www.play2give.org.uk
Estage agents pitch in with footballers' fundraising efforts
Breckon & Breckon chip into the tournament fundraising... From left P2G's Craig Harris, Andy Baker and Elaine Childs, with Ben Turner from the company
Release: July 15 2016
The budding Bale's and roving Ramsay's of Oxfordshire came together to net in thousands of pounds for charity with a men's football tournament earlier this month.
The football tournament, organised by award-winning fundraising group Play2Give, was held on July 3rd at Oxford City Football Club, with a range of 12 six a side teams of blokes together to shoot goals not just on the pitch but for both Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire too.
The Play2Give tournament, the eighth host at Oxford City ground on Marsh Lane, Marston, was a fantastic success - which saw 12 six a side squads from firms including Allmakes 4x4 on Milton Park, to accountants The M Group, Cottsway Housing in Witney and MMR Research Worldwide in Wallingford to others - contest the competition. So far over £2,550 has been pitched in for the John Radcliffe Children's Hospital and brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire, based in Kennington.
Oxford's leading independent estate and letting agents Breckon & Breckon with a host of offices across the county helped to pitch in with the fundraising efforts on the day too, with a fantastic coconut shy and having sponsored the event for a fifth year running, contributed £1,053 in total towards the tournament's charitable goals. The firm with a total of nine offices across the county has given over £5,500 in total towards the football tournaments through being main sponsor and their famous coconut shy. This year one young lady managed to knock off five coconuts with her ten balls making for an event record!
Pictured (attached) is Ben Turner, Sales Manager of the Oxford Apartments division, left, presenting event organisers Andrew Baker, centre, Elaine Childs and Craig Harris, right, with the cheque totalling £1,053. Keith Stacey, Breckon & Breckon's MD, says: "We were delighted to continue our support of this great day out as part of our commitment to work closely with our local community. Andy Baker is a real inspiration and deserves all the help he and his team can get in raising money for such good causes as the Children's Hospital at the JR. In 2016 we are supporting over 25 Primary School fetes together with other local charities. For us it's not just about the financial support, we like to roll up our sleeves and attend on the day"
Didcot BACA Winner, Play2Give, has raised over £48,660 for a range of charitable causes in Oxfordshire since its inception in 2007. The fundraising organisation was set up by Didcot's Andrew Baker, 28, who began raising money for the Oxford Children's Hospital aged 14 as a pupil at St Birinus School in 2003.
The Play2Give group also hold other events such as successful fundraising parties and teams in Monster Runs amongst much else to raise funds and awareness of the Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire. Andrew was inspired to raise funds for the John Radcliffe Children's Hospital, which opened in January 2007, after receiving treatment throughout childhood following a brain injury at birth and major brain surgery in 2001. With an army of thousands of fundraising friends and football tournaments supporters over the past 14 years, Andrew has raised over £63,610 - with £52,405 of this donated to the Children's Hospital.
The day also featured a bouncy castle, a raffle, a pair of Silverstone race day tickets auctioned, and music together with food and refreshments. It is hoped that up to £3,000 from the latest event on July 3rd could be netted in total once all proceeds have rolled in. The event was also sponsored by Newbury Building Society.
Andrew says: "It was brilliant to see so many people from businesses to the community at large come out to enjoy a great day of footballing whilst raising money for some truly special causes locally. It was a hotly contested event, and we were incredibly happy with the success of the day after so much hard work put in by the team. We would like to extend our hugest thanks to Oxford City FC, our sponsors Breckon & Breckon, Newbury Building Society, Radio Cherwell, all the players, referees and everyone involved!"
For more information, or to donate, see play2give.org.uk
The budding Bale's and roving Ramsay's of Oxfordshire came together to net in thousands of pounds for charity with a men's football tournament earlier this month.
The football tournament, organised by award-winning fundraising group Play2Give, was held on July 3rd at Oxford City Football Club, with a range of 12 six a side teams of blokes together to shoot goals not just on the pitch but for both Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire too.
The Play2Give tournament, the eighth host at Oxford City ground on Marsh Lane, Marston, was a fantastic success - which saw 12 six a side squads from firms including Allmakes 4x4 on Milton Park, to accountants The M Group, Cottsway Housing in Witney and MMR Research Worldwide in Wallingford to others - contest the competition. So far over £2,550 has been pitched in for the John Radcliffe Children's Hospital and brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire, based in Kennington.
Oxford's leading independent estate and letting agents Breckon & Breckon with a host of offices across the county helped to pitch in with the fundraising efforts on the day too, with a fantastic coconut shy and having sponsored the event for a fifth year running, contributed £1,053 in total towards the tournament's charitable goals. The firm with a total of nine offices across the county has given over £5,500 in total towards the football tournaments through being main sponsor and their famous coconut shy. This year one young lady managed to knock off five coconuts with her ten balls making for an event record!
Pictured (attached) is Ben Turner, Sales Manager of the Oxford Apartments division, left, presenting event organisers Andrew Baker, centre, Elaine Childs and Craig Harris, right, with the cheque totalling £1,053. Keith Stacey, Breckon & Breckon's MD, says: "We were delighted to continue our support of this great day out as part of our commitment to work closely with our local community. Andy Baker is a real inspiration and deserves all the help he and his team can get in raising money for such good causes as the Children's Hospital at the JR. In 2016 we are supporting over 25 Primary School fetes together with other local charities. For us it's not just about the financial support, we like to roll up our sleeves and attend on the day"
Didcot BACA Winner, Play2Give, has raised over £48,660 for a range of charitable causes in Oxfordshire since its inception in 2007. The fundraising organisation was set up by Didcot's Andrew Baker, 28, who began raising money for the Oxford Children's Hospital aged 14 as a pupil at St Birinus School in 2003.
The Play2Give group also hold other events such as successful fundraising parties and teams in Monster Runs amongst much else to raise funds and awareness of the Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire. Andrew was inspired to raise funds for the John Radcliffe Children's Hospital, which opened in January 2007, after receiving treatment throughout childhood following a brain injury at birth and major brain surgery in 2001. With an army of thousands of fundraising friends and football tournaments supporters over the past 14 years, Andrew has raised over £63,610 - with £52,405 of this donated to the Children's Hospital.
The day also featured a bouncy castle, a raffle, a pair of Silverstone race day tickets auctioned, and music together with food and refreshments. It is hoped that up to £3,000 from the latest event on July 3rd could be netted in total once all proceeds have rolled in. The event was also sponsored by Newbury Building Society.
Andrew says: "It was brilliant to see so many people from businesses to the community at large come out to enjoy a great day of footballing whilst raising money for some truly special causes locally. It was a hotly contested event, and we were incredibly happy with the success of the day after so much hard work put in by the team. We would like to extend our hugest thanks to Oxford City FC, our sponsors Breckon & Breckon, Newbury Building Society, Radio Cherwell, all the players, referees and everyone involved!"
For more information, or to donate, see play2give.org.uk
Countdown is on to charity football kick off as Play2Give's annual tournament warms up
Release: June 24 2016
The countdown is on as one of the popular charity tournaments in the county prepares to warm up and kick off for another goal in one.
The annual Play2Give football tournament returns for its eighth year to score some superb objectives on Sunday July 3rd which will see teams from local businesses and groups of budding Beckham's and Lampard's take to the pitch for a fun friendly day of footballing fun. The 6 a side men's contest will take place on the 3G pitches of Oxford City Football Club's community arena to raise thousands of pounds for the Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire, which supports over 400 adults with acquired brain injuries and their carer's families.
In previous years, the well renowned Play2Give football tournaments have raised over £33,600 since being established in 2007 with the Oxford Children's Hospital having benefited from around £30,180 alone. The football tournaments have become hugely established in Oxfordshire and a firm favourite in the county's charity calendar amongst the many footballers that take part from the very young to the more mature and older alike. Award-winning Didcot BACA Play2Give organise many fundraising events and initiatives each year for its chosen charities with its football tournaments having been hailed as the best tournament in Oxfordshire for charity by many teams in the past. In total, Play2Give has donated over £47,730 and will celebrate its big tenth birthday next year.
Both the Children's Hospital and Headway, based in Kennington, are close to the hearts of the Play2Give team of volunteers and, in particular to its founder, Andrew Baker. The 28-year-old former St Birinus School pupil, who set up Play2Give in 2007, sustained a brain injury at birth and spent the first few days of his life fighting for life in the special care baby unit of the John Radcliffe Hospital. Aged eight Andrew, of Great Western Drive, Didcot, suffered a further head injury after being knocked over at school and aged 12 in 2001 he underwent major brain surgery to a tumour. Today, he continues to fight strong through attending a weekly group at the Headway centre as part of his rehabilitation. His surgery at the Radcliffe Infirmary in 2001 was the catalyst for Andrew to begin fundraising aged 14 for the Oxford Children's Hospital.
Companies warming up and set to don their football boots and kits for this special tournament include MMR Research, based in Wallingford, Allmakes 4x4 on Milton Park near Abingdon and The M Group in Oxford. Tom Bowling, Senior Statistician, at MMR says: "We're really looking forward to the Play2Give tournament. It should be a great day out and an opportunity to raise money for a fantastic cause, of whom we are inspired by the founder Andrew for the fantastic work he and his team do, and we can't wait to don our boots and strike some hopeful goals for what is a brilliant event."
Allmakes 4x4 with over 30 years of trading are a worldwide supplier of parts and accessories for land rover vehicles, and has grown into one of the most recognised suppliers for land rover parts in existence. Other teams set to take part include Cottsway Housing Association in Witney and Oxford's MY OX4 Lifeline, a community recovery hub for individuals achieving and maintain abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
In total 14 teams will battle it out. The event is sponsored by estate agents Breckon & Breckon and Newbury Building Society. There will be music from Radio Cherwell, food and refreshments, a raffle and a bouncy castle.
Thanks to thousands of supporters, Andrew has raised more than £62,700 for charities, with over £52,150 for the Children's Hospital.
The countdown is on as one of the popular charity tournaments in the county prepares to warm up and kick off for another goal in one.
The annual Play2Give football tournament returns for its eighth year to score some superb objectives on Sunday July 3rd which will see teams from local businesses and groups of budding Beckham's and Lampard's take to the pitch for a fun friendly day of footballing fun. The 6 a side men's contest will take place on the 3G pitches of Oxford City Football Club's community arena to raise thousands of pounds for the Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire, which supports over 400 adults with acquired brain injuries and their carer's families.
In previous years, the well renowned Play2Give football tournaments have raised over £33,600 since being established in 2007 with the Oxford Children's Hospital having benefited from around £30,180 alone. The football tournaments have become hugely established in Oxfordshire and a firm favourite in the county's charity calendar amongst the many footballers that take part from the very young to the more mature and older alike. Award-winning Didcot BACA Play2Give organise many fundraising events and initiatives each year for its chosen charities with its football tournaments having been hailed as the best tournament in Oxfordshire for charity by many teams in the past. In total, Play2Give has donated over £47,730 and will celebrate its big tenth birthday next year.
Both the Children's Hospital and Headway, based in Kennington, are close to the hearts of the Play2Give team of volunteers and, in particular to its founder, Andrew Baker. The 28-year-old former St Birinus School pupil, who set up Play2Give in 2007, sustained a brain injury at birth and spent the first few days of his life fighting for life in the special care baby unit of the John Radcliffe Hospital. Aged eight Andrew, of Great Western Drive, Didcot, suffered a further head injury after being knocked over at school and aged 12 in 2001 he underwent major brain surgery to a tumour. Today, he continues to fight strong through attending a weekly group at the Headway centre as part of his rehabilitation. His surgery at the Radcliffe Infirmary in 2001 was the catalyst for Andrew to begin fundraising aged 14 for the Oxford Children's Hospital.
Companies warming up and set to don their football boots and kits for this special tournament include MMR Research, based in Wallingford, Allmakes 4x4 on Milton Park near Abingdon and The M Group in Oxford. Tom Bowling, Senior Statistician, at MMR says: "We're really looking forward to the Play2Give tournament. It should be a great day out and an opportunity to raise money for a fantastic cause, of whom we are inspired by the founder Andrew for the fantastic work he and his team do, and we can't wait to don our boots and strike some hopeful goals for what is a brilliant event."
Allmakes 4x4 with over 30 years of trading are a worldwide supplier of parts and accessories for land rover vehicles, and has grown into one of the most recognised suppliers for land rover parts in existence. Other teams set to take part include Cottsway Housing Association in Witney and Oxford's MY OX4 Lifeline, a community recovery hub for individuals achieving and maintain abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
In total 14 teams will battle it out. The event is sponsored by estate agents Breckon & Breckon and Newbury Building Society. There will be music from Radio Cherwell, food and refreshments, a raffle and a bouncy castle.
Thanks to thousands of supporters, Andrew has raised more than £62,700 for charities, with over £52,150 for the Children's Hospital.
The force was with Sainsbury's Didcot in Star Wars fundraiser for PlayStation appeal
Andrew Baker with Lucas Cox, 9, a patient of the Oxford Children's Hospital and little helper of the raffle inspiring funds
Release: June 24 2016
May the force be with you... and it certainly was the case for Sainsbury's in Didcot as generous customers and colleagues dug deep at the store to support a fundraising drive for entertainment at the Oxford Children's Hospital.
The store in June held a raffle over three days as part of an appeal using life-size Star Wars characters to help raise funds for the entertainment of PlayStation for the John Radcliffe paediatric unit’s teenage ward.
After hearing that controllers to a PlayStation 3 were stolen from Melanie’s Ward the store responded and used the opportunity to gather up funds by raffling three giant cardboard cut outs of two of the characters from the popular film franchise which was driven by Didcot’s Andrew Baker.
Andrew, 28, a former checkout colleague at the store, and founder of charity Play2Give, is no stranger to supporting the hospital as he has raised money for the facility, which opened in January 2007, over the past 14 years. The raffle in the store’s foyer was so successful with over £210 raised in ticket sales. The store now aim to raise an additional £100 or more to buy a new PlayStation, games and controllers for the teenage ward with a sold-out quiz night on June 29th and car screen washing at its petrol station next month, in which volunteers are being appealed to come forward to help.
The Didcot branch of the supermarket chain has been incredibly supportive of the children’s hospital in the past, through supporting Play2Give’s fundraising aims with second hand book sales, wristband sales, a raffle at a recent staff party and adopting the fundraising organisation, set up by Andrew, over the course of a year from July 2014, which saw a record £4,310 raised by the store’s colleagues and customers through 12 months of fundraising.
Andrew added: ‘The store always is fantastic when it comes to fundraising and the children’s hospital is no exception. I was only too happy to help to help with this appeal. Having been a patient in my childhood I know only too well from first-hand experience how important entertainment is for boredom and to help recovery whilst in hospital. When I was on the Radcliffe Infirmary teenage unit, the facilities was so outdated that the TVs didn’t work and there was no PlayStations – so seeing the generosity of the customers really melted my heart and can’t wait to see the smiles on the teens faces when we deliver the goodies later in the year.’
Notes to Editors:
May the force be with you... and it certainly was the case for Sainsbury's in Didcot as generous customers and colleagues dug deep at the store to support a fundraising drive for entertainment at the Oxford Children's Hospital.
The store in June held a raffle over three days as part of an appeal using life-size Star Wars characters to help raise funds for the entertainment of PlayStation for the John Radcliffe paediatric unit’s teenage ward.
After hearing that controllers to a PlayStation 3 were stolen from Melanie’s Ward the store responded and used the opportunity to gather up funds by raffling three giant cardboard cut outs of two of the characters from the popular film franchise which was driven by Didcot’s Andrew Baker.
Andrew, 28, a former checkout colleague at the store, and founder of charity Play2Give, is no stranger to supporting the hospital as he has raised money for the facility, which opened in January 2007, over the past 14 years. The raffle in the store’s foyer was so successful with over £210 raised in ticket sales. The store now aim to raise an additional £100 or more to buy a new PlayStation, games and controllers for the teenage ward with a sold-out quiz night on June 29th and car screen washing at its petrol station next month, in which volunteers are being appealed to come forward to help.
The Didcot branch of the supermarket chain has been incredibly supportive of the children’s hospital in the past, through supporting Play2Give’s fundraising aims with second hand book sales, wristband sales, a raffle at a recent staff party and adopting the fundraising organisation, set up by Andrew, over the course of a year from July 2014, which saw a record £4,310 raised by the store’s colleagues and customers through 12 months of fundraising.
Andrew added: ‘The store always is fantastic when it comes to fundraising and the children’s hospital is no exception. I was only too happy to help to help with this appeal. Having been a patient in my childhood I know only too well from first-hand experience how important entertainment is for boredom and to help recovery whilst in hospital. When I was on the Radcliffe Infirmary teenage unit, the facilities was so outdated that the TVs didn’t work and there was no PlayStations – so seeing the generosity of the customers really melted my heart and can’t wait to see the smiles on the teens faces when we deliver the goodies later in the year.’
Notes to Editors:
- To contact Veronica Dallas, PR Ambassador, Sainsbury’s Didcot: 01235 814159
- To speak to Andrew Baker, Play2Give: 07939064308 / play2give@hotmail.com
- The Sainsbury’s charity quiz night for the children’s hospital takes place on 29 June in the customer café. Tickets sales were a sell-out. There will also a raffle with a fish and chips supper.
- Volunteers are needed for the store’s car screen washing service next month. The car washes will take place between 12pm-3pm on the 16th July and 23rd July. Anyone interested should contact Veronica at the store or Andrew Baker.
Fundraising group caps off most successful year with two charity award nominations
Release: May 12 2016
An Oxfordshire fundraising organisation that goes from strength to strength and has helped literally thousands since its creation has been recognised in prestigious charity awards of Oxfordshire.
Play2Give, set up in 2007 by Didcot's Andrew Baker, 27, has gone on to donate over £47,100 over the past 8 years for a range of local chosen charities.
The group was recognised in the Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards 2016 in a ceremony held at Oxford Town Hall on the evening of May 11th where Play2Give was nominated for not just one but two awards. Play2Give was nominated in Best Team of Volunteers as well as the biggest accolade - Charity of the Year.
The nominations follow on from the organisation's most successful year ever in 2015 when a record £13,532 was raised including over £9,430 to the Oxford Children's Hospital.
In November last year the Didcot Business and Community Awards (BACAs) celebrated Play2Give's work with the win of Best Fundraising Innovation Award.
Play2Give celebrates its big 10th anniversary next year and has plans for lots of events and activities, including a celebratory charity ball, as part of a campaign to raise £10,000 in 10 as part of its special landmark anniversary and any company, trust or grant giving scheme wishing to help sponsor the group next year should email play2give@hotmail.com or see play2give.org.uk
An Oxfordshire fundraising organisation that goes from strength to strength and has helped literally thousands since its creation has been recognised in prestigious charity awards of Oxfordshire.
Play2Give, set up in 2007 by Didcot's Andrew Baker, 27, has gone on to donate over £47,100 over the past 8 years for a range of local chosen charities.
The group was recognised in the Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards 2016 in a ceremony held at Oxford Town Hall on the evening of May 11th where Play2Give was nominated for not just one but two awards. Play2Give was nominated in Best Team of Volunteers as well as the biggest accolade - Charity of the Year.
The nominations follow on from the organisation's most successful year ever in 2015 when a record £13,532 was raised including over £9,430 to the Oxford Children's Hospital.
In November last year the Didcot Business and Community Awards (BACAs) celebrated Play2Give's work with the win of Best Fundraising Innovation Award.
Play2Give celebrates its big 10th anniversary next year and has plans for lots of events and activities, including a celebratory charity ball, as part of a campaign to raise £10,000 in 10 as part of its special landmark anniversary and any company, trust or grant giving scheme wishing to help sponsor the group next year should email play2give@hotmail.com or see play2give.org.uk
Making Headway as Play2Give kicks off fresh fundraising year with beautiful charity game
Release: March 11 2016
Two squads of charitable superstars will take to the 3G pitch at Oxford City Football Club for a special football match on March 19th to raise funds for two local causes.
The match, organised by Play2Give, in partnership with the brain injury charity Headway Oxfordshire will see both charities go head to head in a nail-biting 90-minute game to vie to be crowned 2016 champions.
The Headway Heroes team will be made up of staff, volunteers and supporters whilst P2G’s Star squad will be made up of volunteers and supporters. The proceeds from the special match will be donated to Headway Oxfordshire, based in Kennington, and the Oxford Children’s Hospital – it is hoped from players’ donations alone together with bucket whip rounds that up to £300 could be netted in.
Play2Give is no stranger to charitable giving or the beautiful game of football itself, as the award-winning fundraising organisation has scored over £45,700 for a catalogue of charities in the county, with the Children’s Hospital alone having benefited from over £36,200 over the past 8 years.
Andrew Baker from Didcot founded Play2Give in 2007 after being inspired to support the children’s hospital after treatment throughout childhood – including brain surgery aged 12. The 27-year-old also suffered a brain injury at birth, and so Headway Oxfordshire is also a cause with special personal significance, as he attends their activity & rehabilitation centre once a week. Andrew began supporting the children’s hospital aged 14 in 2003 as a pupil at Didcot’s St Birinus School when he inspired and coordinated the school’s fundraising efforts to help raise £15million for the total cost of building the hospital, which opened in 2007.
In November Play2Give won the ‘Best Fundraising Innovation/Campaign’ Award in the 2015 Didcot Business & Community Awards, which in the same year, saw the group, also run by volunteers Dale Harris, Teresa Strike and Elaine Childs, achieve their best year ever in a staggering £13,532 raised!
In September 2014 The P2G Stars contested a Super Sainsbury’s staff team from the Didcot supermarket, when the store’s side lost 20-1 to Andrew’s victorious squad. The first match, organised as part of the Didcot store’s year of support for Play2Give, raised £242.
Headway’s events and publicity manager, Charlie Hayes, said: “We all have a special place in our hearts for Play2Give and all the amazing fundraising it has done over the years for its charities including for us at Headway Oxfordshire. Andy Baker’s tireless support for us means a huge amount to all of us and we would also like to thank Oxford City FC for supporting this event.”
The game on March 19th is the start of an association with the community-focused football club, in Marston, who has pledged its full support to fundraising and awareness for Headway. In December Andrew set up a petition: “Save Headway Oxfordshire: Brain Injured Will Battle Against the Cuts’ – which has gained 325 signatures – after learning the organisation faced severe cuts in its funding from Oxfordshire County Council which would severely impact upon its services its can provide for the 260 brain injury survivors and their families the charity currently supports.
The charity game coincides with Oxford City’s home match against Wealdstone FC, which kicks off at 3pm. The charity match will take off at a 5pm kick off.
For more information, see play2give.org.uk and where donations can be made. Spectators are welcome.
Two squads of charitable superstars will take to the 3G pitch at Oxford City Football Club for a special football match on March 19th to raise funds for two local causes.
The match, organised by Play2Give, in partnership with the brain injury charity Headway Oxfordshire will see both charities go head to head in a nail-biting 90-minute game to vie to be crowned 2016 champions.
The Headway Heroes team will be made up of staff, volunteers and supporters whilst P2G’s Star squad will be made up of volunteers and supporters. The proceeds from the special match will be donated to Headway Oxfordshire, based in Kennington, and the Oxford Children’s Hospital – it is hoped from players’ donations alone together with bucket whip rounds that up to £300 could be netted in.
Play2Give is no stranger to charitable giving or the beautiful game of football itself, as the award-winning fundraising organisation has scored over £45,700 for a catalogue of charities in the county, with the Children’s Hospital alone having benefited from over £36,200 over the past 8 years.
Andrew Baker from Didcot founded Play2Give in 2007 after being inspired to support the children’s hospital after treatment throughout childhood – including brain surgery aged 12. The 27-year-old also suffered a brain injury at birth, and so Headway Oxfordshire is also a cause with special personal significance, as he attends their activity & rehabilitation centre once a week. Andrew began supporting the children’s hospital aged 14 in 2003 as a pupil at Didcot’s St Birinus School when he inspired and coordinated the school’s fundraising efforts to help raise £15million for the total cost of building the hospital, which opened in 2007.
In November Play2Give won the ‘Best Fundraising Innovation/Campaign’ Award in the 2015 Didcot Business & Community Awards, which in the same year, saw the group, also run by volunteers Dale Harris, Teresa Strike and Elaine Childs, achieve their best year ever in a staggering £13,532 raised!
In September 2014 The P2G Stars contested a Super Sainsbury’s staff team from the Didcot supermarket, when the store’s side lost 20-1 to Andrew’s victorious squad. The first match, organised as part of the Didcot store’s year of support for Play2Give, raised £242.
Headway’s events and publicity manager, Charlie Hayes, said: “We all have a special place in our hearts for Play2Give and all the amazing fundraising it has done over the years for its charities including for us at Headway Oxfordshire. Andy Baker’s tireless support for us means a huge amount to all of us and we would also like to thank Oxford City FC for supporting this event.”
The game on March 19th is the start of an association with the community-focused football club, in Marston, who has pledged its full support to fundraising and awareness for Headway. In December Andrew set up a petition: “Save Headway Oxfordshire: Brain Injured Will Battle Against the Cuts’ – which has gained 325 signatures – after learning the organisation faced severe cuts in its funding from Oxfordshire County Council which would severely impact upon its services its can provide for the 260 brain injury survivors and their families the charity currently supports.
The charity game coincides with Oxford City’s home match against Wealdstone FC, which kicks off at 3pm. The charity match will take off at a 5pm kick off.
For more information, see play2give.org.uk and where donations can be made. Spectators are welcome.
Play2Give scores record breaking charity year ever whilst founder tops £60k for charities
Release: January 17 2016
An Oxfordshire fundraising organisation toasted to its success last week as it celebrated raising its most amount of money ever!
Play2Give, which was founded by Didcot's Andrew Baker, 27, in 2007, marked achieving raising a record £13,532.05 in total in 2015, with the team presenting the Oxford Children's Hospital (CHOX) with its grand instalment of funds raised last year in a '3 cheers' style handover last Wednesday (January 13th).
The Children's Hospital, at the John Radcliffe Hospital, has been one of the fundraising group's main charities since its inception, and received £9,439.75 for the hospital fund through a wide range of fundraising endeavours and initiatives last year, including a kids football tournament held in the summer which raised over £5,730.
Andrew set up Play2Give after being inspired after receiving treatment throughout childhood after being born with a brain injury, including major brain surgery aged 12 in 2001. He began raising money for the children's hospital in 2003 at St Birinus School in Didcot. Now, Andrew runs Play2Give with a small team of 'passionate' friends including Dale Harris, Teresa Strike and Elaine Childs. Dale's daughter, Mya, 13, has been treated at the hospital since she was born with Spina Bifida in 2002.
The group have gone on to donate over £45,550 over the past 8 years through a wide variety of events, with its football tournament held every summer at Oxford City Football Club, being its biggest annual fundraiser. Last year other endeavours held included teams in fun runs and the Monster Race, a fundraising party, a superheroes spinathon, to bag packing and flower wrapping, a sponsored stroll and raffles by Sainsbury's in Didcot who supported the organisation over the course of a year.
Headway Oxfordshire brain injury support charity and the John Radcliffe Hospital Paediatric Eye Fund also benefited from the record year's success, making up the grand £13,532 given out by the group. The group also scooped the 'Best Fundraising Award' for innovative fundraising and campaigns at the Didcot Business & Community Awards last November.
Play2Give is now just £3,800 away from raising a landmark £40,000 to name its very own room on the teenage ward at the children's hospital.
Andrew himself has devoted the past 13 years to raising funds for charities close to his heart. In total he has raised over £60,000 for a multitude of charities, including over £50,880 to the children's hospital - all of which has been raised by Andrew and his thousands of army of fundraising supporters such as schools, friends and the Play2Give team and community, since 2003.
Plans for 2016 already include a fundraising party in April at Didcot Football Club and teams in the Monster Race and Oxford Fun Run in the spring.
Pictures Attached
An Oxfordshire fundraising organisation toasted to its success last week as it celebrated raising its most amount of money ever!
Play2Give, which was founded by Didcot's Andrew Baker, 27, in 2007, marked achieving raising a record £13,532.05 in total in 2015, with the team presenting the Oxford Children's Hospital (CHOX) with its grand instalment of funds raised last year in a '3 cheers' style handover last Wednesday (January 13th).
The Children's Hospital, at the John Radcliffe Hospital, has been one of the fundraising group's main charities since its inception, and received £9,439.75 for the hospital fund through a wide range of fundraising endeavours and initiatives last year, including a kids football tournament held in the summer which raised over £5,730.
Andrew set up Play2Give after being inspired after receiving treatment throughout childhood after being born with a brain injury, including major brain surgery aged 12 in 2001. He began raising money for the children's hospital in 2003 at St Birinus School in Didcot. Now, Andrew runs Play2Give with a small team of 'passionate' friends including Dale Harris, Teresa Strike and Elaine Childs. Dale's daughter, Mya, 13, has been treated at the hospital since she was born with Spina Bifida in 2002.
The group have gone on to donate over £45,550 over the past 8 years through a wide variety of events, with its football tournament held every summer at Oxford City Football Club, being its biggest annual fundraiser. Last year other endeavours held included teams in fun runs and the Monster Race, a fundraising party, a superheroes spinathon, to bag packing and flower wrapping, a sponsored stroll and raffles by Sainsbury's in Didcot who supported the organisation over the course of a year.
Headway Oxfordshire brain injury support charity and the John Radcliffe Hospital Paediatric Eye Fund also benefited from the record year's success, making up the grand £13,532 given out by the group. The group also scooped the 'Best Fundraising Award' for innovative fundraising and campaigns at the Didcot Business & Community Awards last November.
Play2Give is now just £3,800 away from raising a landmark £40,000 to name its very own room on the teenage ward at the children's hospital.
Andrew himself has devoted the past 13 years to raising funds for charities close to his heart. In total he has raised over £60,000 for a multitude of charities, including over £50,880 to the children's hospital - all of which has been raised by Andrew and his thousands of army of fundraising supporters such as schools, friends and the Play2Give team and community, since 2003.
Plans for 2016 already include a fundraising party in April at Didcot Football Club and teams in the Monster Race and Oxford Fun Run in the spring.
Pictures Attached
Santa duo and Andrew Elf to spread Christmas Chox cheer
Release: December 17 2015
On the morning of Wednesday 23rd December nightshift worker Lee Crook, of Sainsbury's Didcot, will be undertaking an epic sponsored walk to raise funds with Play2Give for the Oxford Children's Hospital as well as the Sue Ryder Hospice in Nettlebed.
Play2Give raises funds for the Children's Hospital, and Lee has been inspired to help Play2Give's fundraising aims after the store supported the fundraising organisation for a year as its local charity of the year until July, 2015. Lee was one of those in the store committee who chose Play2Give to benefit in July 2014 from a year's worth of fundraising support and awareness.
Lee has done various fundraising antics to support Play2Give for the hospital with Movember in November 2014, to a 1000km sponsored walk over 10 weeks in the summer, to obtaining a signed shirt from the Reading FC legends in the spring to this latest venture. In total he has raised over £1,000.
On Wednesday 23rd Dec, once his nightshift is complete, Lee will embark on the estimated 4-hour 15-mile stroll, via the safest route possible, whilst dressed as the big bearded man himself, yes Santa Claus, with a big sack full of toys hauled over his back - toys which will be given out post walk to the kids hospital wards upon arrival at Chox. Lee has already raised over £350 in sponsorship for his very festive stroll, and only aimed for £200. He aims to arrive at the Children's Hospital on the John Radcliffe site by 12pm (anticipated).
Then, Santa will meet his helper, as every Santa needs a good elf to carry out his duties, so Play2Give's founder and Lee's inspiration, Andrew Baker, of Didcot, will meet Santa Lee at the Children's Hospital upon completion of the walk, then the pair along with supporter of Play2Give, Paul Tucker (who runs Kidactive Oxford childcare company) who'll also be dressed as Santa, will visit the children's hospital wards ladened with toys games and puzzles donated by generous supporters. Andrew will of course be dressed as an Elf.
One of the wards the trio will visit will be Melanie's Ward, the teenage ward, which Play2Give is aiming to achieve an overall £40,000 towards its fundraising for the Hospital. Once the £40,000 is reached (with an aim to do so in 2016) a room will be named in Play2Give's honour. The Play2Give Room will be a great testament to the years of support and hard work the Play2Give group, led by Andrew, has provided to the children's hospital. So far, Play2Give have contributed over £36,000 to the Children's Hospital, which has all helped towards not just helping the hospital initially be built and opened in 2007, but towards medical equipment and facilities above and beyond NHS standard, as well as entertainment and sensory and distraction items for the children whilst undergoing treatments and procedures.
Sainsbury's in Didcot is currently supporting the Sue Ryder hospice in Nettlebed, as its local charity of the year. The store raised a record £4,310 in total for Play2Give over 12 months until July, which was enthused by the staff from a passionate and inspirational Andrew, where many events in each month was held and organised to raise the funds.
On the morning of Wednesday 23rd December nightshift worker Lee Crook, of Sainsbury's Didcot, will be undertaking an epic sponsored walk to raise funds with Play2Give for the Oxford Children's Hospital as well as the Sue Ryder Hospice in Nettlebed.
Play2Give raises funds for the Children's Hospital, and Lee has been inspired to help Play2Give's fundraising aims after the store supported the fundraising organisation for a year as its local charity of the year until July, 2015. Lee was one of those in the store committee who chose Play2Give to benefit in July 2014 from a year's worth of fundraising support and awareness.
Lee has done various fundraising antics to support Play2Give for the hospital with Movember in November 2014, to a 1000km sponsored walk over 10 weeks in the summer, to obtaining a signed shirt from the Reading FC legends in the spring to this latest venture. In total he has raised over £1,000.
On Wednesday 23rd Dec, once his nightshift is complete, Lee will embark on the estimated 4-hour 15-mile stroll, via the safest route possible, whilst dressed as the big bearded man himself, yes Santa Claus, with a big sack full of toys hauled over his back - toys which will be given out post walk to the kids hospital wards upon arrival at Chox. Lee has already raised over £350 in sponsorship for his very festive stroll, and only aimed for £200. He aims to arrive at the Children's Hospital on the John Radcliffe site by 12pm (anticipated).
Then, Santa will meet his helper, as every Santa needs a good elf to carry out his duties, so Play2Give's founder and Lee's inspiration, Andrew Baker, of Didcot, will meet Santa Lee at the Children's Hospital upon completion of the walk, then the pair along with supporter of Play2Give, Paul Tucker (who runs Kidactive Oxford childcare company) who'll also be dressed as Santa, will visit the children's hospital wards ladened with toys games and puzzles donated by generous supporters. Andrew will of course be dressed as an Elf.
One of the wards the trio will visit will be Melanie's Ward, the teenage ward, which Play2Give is aiming to achieve an overall £40,000 towards its fundraising for the Hospital. Once the £40,000 is reached (with an aim to do so in 2016) a room will be named in Play2Give's honour. The Play2Give Room will be a great testament to the years of support and hard work the Play2Give group, led by Andrew, has provided to the children's hospital. So far, Play2Give have contributed over £36,000 to the Children's Hospital, which has all helped towards not just helping the hospital initially be built and opened in 2007, but towards medical equipment and facilities above and beyond NHS standard, as well as entertainment and sensory and distraction items for the children whilst undergoing treatments and procedures.
Sainsbury's in Didcot is currently supporting the Sue Ryder hospice in Nettlebed, as its local charity of the year. The store raised a record £4,310 in total for Play2Give over 12 months until July, which was enthused by the staff from a passionate and inspirational Andrew, where many events in each month was held and organised to raise the funds.
Play2Give is named best of fundraising winner in 'business oscars' of Didcot
Dale, Andrew (centre) and Teresa, presented with the award by Mayor of Didcot, right, and Didcot Rotary Club, left
Release: November 16 2015
We are thrilled to have won a prestigious Business & Community Award (BACA) at a gala awards evening held on Friday 13th November, and what a lucky 13th it was!
Representatives and the three original team members of Play2Give, Andrew Baker (founder) together with Dale Harris and Teresa Strike attended the gala event held at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot and were presented with the Best Fundraising Innovation Award by the judge and award sponsor, Didcot Rotary Club's Colin Campbell and Mayor of Didcot, Des Healy, and given a cash prize of £100 towards our good work in the community supporting local charities.
The ceremony on Friday night was attended by 36 shortlisted organisations, local dignitaries and business leaders, and we were delighted to be honoured in front of 220 guests at a sold-out Auditorium. During the glittering 'Oscars' style event, exciting local Acts including Didcot Sings Choir, Wantage Silver Band and Didcot Phoenix Taekwondo entertained the audience, in between award presentations.
Andrew, 27, said: "We were really surprised to bag the best fundraising award at this year's BACAs and we are immensely proud of our achievement on winning this very special gong. This year has been our most successful year of fundraising to date, so to win this award unexpectedly in our best year yet symbolising our commitment to a catalyst of charities is the icing on the cake for Play2Give!"
Andrew added: "We all work incredibly hard each year to raise as much money as we can for our chosen charities and we look forward to another busy and momentous year of fundraising ahead. Winning this award really means a lot to us as volunteers with a real passion. The event was a fantastic night with lots of incredible talent and the great of Didcot's charitable and business heroes all together in one room!"
Emma East, from Didcot First said: "We are delighted the Judges chose Play2Give to receive a BACAs award, which recognises them for their hard work and dedication to the local community."
This was the 7th year of the BACAs, organised by Didcot First, and supported by Taylor Wimpey. Individual awards were sponsored by Delicious of Wantage, Didcot Chamber of Commerce, Jennings of Garsington Ltd, Rotary Club of Didcot, Wallingford & District Rotary Club, Soha Housing and UTC Oxfordshire.
We would like to say a very big thank you to the BACAs and their Judges for choosing us to win - we are over the moon to have been recognised not just as a shortlisted finalist but as the very best of fundraising winner and we would like to thank all of our very loyal and ever growing supporters who have helped us towards winning this special recognition, and throughout our 8-year history!
For details of all nominated and shortlisted nominees, please see www.didcotfirst.org.uk
We are thrilled to have won a prestigious Business & Community Award (BACA) at a gala awards evening held on Friday 13th November, and what a lucky 13th it was!
Representatives and the three original team members of Play2Give, Andrew Baker (founder) together with Dale Harris and Teresa Strike attended the gala event held at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot and were presented with the Best Fundraising Innovation Award by the judge and award sponsor, Didcot Rotary Club's Colin Campbell and Mayor of Didcot, Des Healy, and given a cash prize of £100 towards our good work in the community supporting local charities.
The ceremony on Friday night was attended by 36 shortlisted organisations, local dignitaries and business leaders, and we were delighted to be honoured in front of 220 guests at a sold-out Auditorium. During the glittering 'Oscars' style event, exciting local Acts including Didcot Sings Choir, Wantage Silver Band and Didcot Phoenix Taekwondo entertained the audience, in between award presentations.
Andrew, 27, said: "We were really surprised to bag the best fundraising award at this year's BACAs and we are immensely proud of our achievement on winning this very special gong. This year has been our most successful year of fundraising to date, so to win this award unexpectedly in our best year yet symbolising our commitment to a catalyst of charities is the icing on the cake for Play2Give!"
Andrew added: "We all work incredibly hard each year to raise as much money as we can for our chosen charities and we look forward to another busy and momentous year of fundraising ahead. Winning this award really means a lot to us as volunteers with a real passion. The event was a fantastic night with lots of incredible talent and the great of Didcot's charitable and business heroes all together in one room!"
Emma East, from Didcot First said: "We are delighted the Judges chose Play2Give to receive a BACAs award, which recognises them for their hard work and dedication to the local community."
This was the 7th year of the BACAs, organised by Didcot First, and supported by Taylor Wimpey. Individual awards were sponsored by Delicious of Wantage, Didcot Chamber of Commerce, Jennings of Garsington Ltd, Rotary Club of Didcot, Wallingford & District Rotary Club, Soha Housing and UTC Oxfordshire.
We would like to say a very big thank you to the BACAs and their Judges for choosing us to win - we are over the moon to have been recognised not just as a shortlisted finalist but as the very best of fundraising winner and we would like to thank all of our very loyal and ever growing supporters who have helped us towards winning this special recognition, and throughout our 8-year history!
For details of all nominated and shortlisted nominees, please see www.didcotfirst.org.uk
All the winners on stage...
Willowbrook superheroes get in a spin for charity
Spinathon Superheroes with Andrew Baker, right, as Robin
Release: September 21 2015
Spinathon competitors are supeheroes for one day raising super funds for charity!
Fundraisers got in a spin at Willowbrook Leisure Centre with a fun 6-hour endurance Spinathon challenge raising funds for local charities through supporting Play2Give's fundraising objectives.
The event, Superhero themed, was great fun and saw around 35 participants take part in six 6-hour sessions throughout the day, which even saw the likes of Batwoman, Spiderman, evil Spiderman, Superwoman and Batman's best friend, Robin (alias Andrew Baker), take part too adding to the hilarity!
The leisure centre in Didcot, on Bowmont Water, chose to donate all proceeds raised to Play2Give - a local fundraising organisation set up by the town's Andrew Baker, 27, in 2007. The event which was a success raised £383.57 - and proceeds also came from a cakes sale and raffle, with cakes from doughnuts to cupcakes donated by Tesco and Sainsbury's, both in the town.
Raffle prizes came in the form of two giftcards donated by The Entertainer toy shop in the Orchard Centre, a bottle of prosecco and Ferrero Rocher chocolates from Tesco Didcot, various membership vouchers donated by Willowbrook and a £20 Zoddys Tattoo voucher, to a £10 Next giftcard.
Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire will both benefit from a share each of the £383.57 raised!
With huge thanks to our friends at the leisure centre, part of Soll Leisure, for running this great event and for their support in choosing to help us with our fundraising objectives. The team at the centre are now planning to organise more events and get involved in various other fundraisers to support Play2Give next year. The fundraising organisation has donated over £44,000 since 2007 to numerous local charities, with its main supported charity being the Children's Hospital after Andrew was treated there.
Spinathon competitors are supeheroes for one day raising super funds for charity!
Fundraisers got in a spin at Willowbrook Leisure Centre with a fun 6-hour endurance Spinathon challenge raising funds for local charities through supporting Play2Give's fundraising objectives.
The event, Superhero themed, was great fun and saw around 35 participants take part in six 6-hour sessions throughout the day, which even saw the likes of Batwoman, Spiderman, evil Spiderman, Superwoman and Batman's best friend, Robin (alias Andrew Baker), take part too adding to the hilarity!
The leisure centre in Didcot, on Bowmont Water, chose to donate all proceeds raised to Play2Give - a local fundraising organisation set up by the town's Andrew Baker, 27, in 2007. The event which was a success raised £383.57 - and proceeds also came from a cakes sale and raffle, with cakes from doughnuts to cupcakes donated by Tesco and Sainsbury's, both in the town.
Raffle prizes came in the form of two giftcards donated by The Entertainer toy shop in the Orchard Centre, a bottle of prosecco and Ferrero Rocher chocolates from Tesco Didcot, various membership vouchers donated by Willowbrook and a £20 Zoddys Tattoo voucher, to a £10 Next giftcard.
Oxford Children's Hospital and Headway Oxfordshire will both benefit from a share each of the £383.57 raised!
With huge thanks to our friends at the leisure centre, part of Soll Leisure, for running this great event and for their support in choosing to help us with our fundraising objectives. The team at the centre are now planning to organise more events and get involved in various other fundraisers to support Play2Give next year. The fundraising organisation has donated over £44,000 since 2007 to numerous local charities, with its main supported charity being the Children's Hospital after Andrew was treated there.
Charity spinathon at Willowbrook Leisure Centre, Didcot, to raise money for Play2Give
Release: August 28 2015
Willowbrook Leisure Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire, has announced that it is hosting a Charity Spinathon on Saturday 19th September to raise money for local charity group, Play2Give.
The centre is operated by charitable leisure management company Soll Leisure, and all of the community are invited get active to help raise money for a great cause.
The spin sessions will start at 9:30am and run until 3:30pm, consisting of 6 hour blocks of spinning. Participants can pay for individual sessions at £5 or for all 6 at £25, with all proceeds going to charity. There will also be a raffle, face paints, cake sale and bouncy castle providing something for everyone in the local community.
Play2Give is a local volunteer-run fundraising organisation based in Oxfordshire raising funds for the Oxford Children's Hospital, John Radcliffe Paediatric Eye Fund and brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire. Andrew Baker of Didcot setup Play2Give in 2007 and he is delighted to see another event taking place supporting his organisation, "we are all really excited about the Spinathon, and it will be great to see everyone come together to support local charities. Play2Give would like to thank everyone who comes along and takes part in the Spinathon and of course to Willowbrook for their fantastic support".
Community Development Manager for Soll Leisure, Richard Claydon, commented "It is great that Soll Leisure can support local charities through events like the Spinathon, we hope that lots of people join us to get active and raise money to support local charities."
If you are interested in booking a space on the Spinathon or have any questions you can contact Willowbrook Leisure Centre on 01235 812058. If you would like more information about how Soll Leisure can help with specific group projects to improve fitness levels you can contact the Community Development Manager on 01235 861289.
Related Links:
Willowbrook Leisure Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire, has announced that it is hosting a Charity Spinathon on Saturday 19th September to raise money for local charity group, Play2Give.
The centre is operated by charitable leisure management company Soll Leisure, and all of the community are invited get active to help raise money for a great cause.
The spin sessions will start at 9:30am and run until 3:30pm, consisting of 6 hour blocks of spinning. Participants can pay for individual sessions at £5 or for all 6 at £25, with all proceeds going to charity. There will also be a raffle, face paints, cake sale and bouncy castle providing something for everyone in the local community.
Play2Give is a local volunteer-run fundraising organisation based in Oxfordshire raising funds for the Oxford Children's Hospital, John Radcliffe Paediatric Eye Fund and brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire. Andrew Baker of Didcot setup Play2Give in 2007 and he is delighted to see another event taking place supporting his organisation, "we are all really excited about the Spinathon, and it will be great to see everyone come together to support local charities. Play2Give would like to thank everyone who comes along and takes part in the Spinathon and of course to Willowbrook for their fantastic support".
Community Development Manager for Soll Leisure, Richard Claydon, commented "It is great that Soll Leisure can support local charities through events like the Spinathon, we hope that lots of people join us to get active and raise money to support local charities."
If you are interested in booking a space on the Spinathon or have any questions you can contact Willowbrook Leisure Centre on 01235 812058. If you would like more information about how Soll Leisure can help with specific group projects to improve fitness levels you can contact the Community Development Manager on 01235 861289.
Related Links:
Sainsbury's Didcot sweep up a record in charity year
Release: July 9 2015
Didcot supermarket customers and staff proved they really could live well for less by helping to raise over £4,290 for charity!
Colleagues and shoppers at the town's Sainsbury's in the Orchard Centre have been supporting the store's local charity of the year, Play2Give.
The fundraising organisation was selected last July, 2014, and benefited from a year's worth of fundraising and awareness support - with the £4,295.64 the store has raised breaking all records - the most amount of money the store has ever raised for the years for their charity partners.
Play2Give was set up by the town's Andrew Baker, a former St Birinus School pupil, in 2007. Andrew has been fundraising since 2003 and has now raised over £53,000 over the years with the help of supporters, friends and former schools with over £44,400 of this for the Oxford Children's Hospital. Andrew was inspired to raise money for the children's hospital after receiving treatment throughout his childhood following on from a brain injury at birth, and major brain surgery aged 12, in 2001.
The group have donated over £38,400 to chosen charities since its inception - with near £30k of this for the Children's Hospital. The group are now only £10k of their grand £40,000 crusade to name their very own room within the Melanie's teenage ward of the hospital. Once achieved, 'The Play2Give Room' will live on through the hospital and the legacy of the many thousands of supporters, including Sainsbury's recent boost, that donations have funded.
Andrew said: "On behalf of Play2Give, I would like to thank all the customers and colleagues at the store for their incredible support over the past year.
"It is amazing that they have raised a record amount across the year, which will make a massive difference to the children in hospital and our other charities. It is so awe-inspiring to see that the customers and colleagues took Play2Give to their hearts, and with many staff doing their own things to help raise funds.
"The awareness has been boosted no end thanks to Sainsbury's and we are really grateful and incredibly pleased for the amazing donations and the great partnership we have had."
Many fun and fantastic fundraising exploits and events have been held both in store and out in the wider Didcot community since the partnership began, with highlights including a sponsored stroll which Spiderman strided out to help raising over £940, to counter workers Luke Norris, 21, Chris Ewing, 27 and Ben Shaw shaving their heads in April, to nightshift worker Lee Crook who raised £641 alone through both 'Movember' in November and a 1000km walk over 10 weeks, to a football match contested against a Play2Give team, raffles, bake sales, bag packs and till tins.
Play2Give raised a record £9,838.81 in 2014, and this looks set to be on course to be smashed this year, with upcoming events including its annual kids football tournament at Oxford City Football Club on Sunday (July 12th), a football match in September and a family fun day on August 15th, all set to boost the total to up to £10,000. Headway Oxfordshire and the Paediatric Eye Fund at the JR Hospital also benefit from the many fundraising endeavours.
Staff from the supermarket will visit the Children's Hospital on Tuesday next week, 14th July, at 12.30pm and will also present the grand cheque totalling to Andrew Baker on Play2Give's behalf.
The store is now supporting Sue Ryder Nettlebed Hospice as its local charity for 2015.
The seventh Play2Give football tournament, supporting the Children's Hospital, takes place on Sunday at Oxford City Football Club, the family fun day at Oxsrad in Marston on Saturday, August 15th, and the football match will return in September.
Notes to Editor: To speak to Veronica Dallas, PR Ambassador at Sainsbury's Didcot, please phone 07904240177, for quotes/information.
Reporters/local press/photographers are welcome to cover this occasion, in what has been a celebratory year for Sainsbury's Didcot in their record breaking charity year.
Didcot supermarket customers and staff proved they really could live well for less by helping to raise over £4,290 for charity!
Colleagues and shoppers at the town's Sainsbury's in the Orchard Centre have been supporting the store's local charity of the year, Play2Give.
The fundraising organisation was selected last July, 2014, and benefited from a year's worth of fundraising and awareness support - with the £4,295.64 the store has raised breaking all records - the most amount of money the store has ever raised for the years for their charity partners.
Play2Give was set up by the town's Andrew Baker, a former St Birinus School pupil, in 2007. Andrew has been fundraising since 2003 and has now raised over £53,000 over the years with the help of supporters, friends and former schools with over £44,400 of this for the Oxford Children's Hospital. Andrew was inspired to raise money for the children's hospital after receiving treatment throughout his childhood following on from a brain injury at birth, and major brain surgery aged 12, in 2001.
The group have donated over £38,400 to chosen charities since its inception - with near £30k of this for the Children's Hospital. The group are now only £10k of their grand £40,000 crusade to name their very own room within the Melanie's teenage ward of the hospital. Once achieved, 'The Play2Give Room' will live on through the hospital and the legacy of the many thousands of supporters, including Sainsbury's recent boost, that donations have funded.
Andrew said: "On behalf of Play2Give, I would like to thank all the customers and colleagues at the store for their incredible support over the past year.
"It is amazing that they have raised a record amount across the year, which will make a massive difference to the children in hospital and our other charities. It is so awe-inspiring to see that the customers and colleagues took Play2Give to their hearts, and with many staff doing their own things to help raise funds.
"The awareness has been boosted no end thanks to Sainsbury's and we are really grateful and incredibly pleased for the amazing donations and the great partnership we have had."
Many fun and fantastic fundraising exploits and events have been held both in store and out in the wider Didcot community since the partnership began, with highlights including a sponsored stroll which Spiderman strided out to help raising over £940, to counter workers Luke Norris, 21, Chris Ewing, 27 and Ben Shaw shaving their heads in April, to nightshift worker Lee Crook who raised £641 alone through both 'Movember' in November and a 1000km walk over 10 weeks, to a football match contested against a Play2Give team, raffles, bake sales, bag packs and till tins.
Play2Give raised a record £9,838.81 in 2014, and this looks set to be on course to be smashed this year, with upcoming events including its annual kids football tournament at Oxford City Football Club on Sunday (July 12th), a football match in September and a family fun day on August 15th, all set to boost the total to up to £10,000. Headway Oxfordshire and the Paediatric Eye Fund at the JR Hospital also benefit from the many fundraising endeavours.
Staff from the supermarket will visit the Children's Hospital on Tuesday next week, 14th July, at 12.30pm and will also present the grand cheque totalling to Andrew Baker on Play2Give's behalf.
The store is now supporting Sue Ryder Nettlebed Hospice as its local charity for 2015.
The seventh Play2Give football tournament, supporting the Children's Hospital, takes place on Sunday at Oxford City Football Club, the family fun day at Oxsrad in Marston on Saturday, August 15th, and the football match will return in September.
Notes to Editor: To speak to Veronica Dallas, PR Ambassador at Sainsbury's Didcot, please phone 07904240177, for quotes/information.
Reporters/local press/photographers are welcome to cover this occasion, in what has been a celebratory year for Sainsbury's Didcot in their record breaking charity year.
Razors up for Sainsbury's as staff don skinheads for Play2Give
Release: April 13 2015
It was razors up literally for 3 of Sainsbury’s Didcot’s employees on Saturday afternoon (April 11th) as their colleagues had no hesitations to chop off their hair for charity.
Counter assistants at the Didcot supermarket, Luke Norris, Chris Ewing and former Ben Shaw (who transferred as his role of Counters manager to their Kidlington store last month) all underwent the razors as the hands of their colleagues, Jess Clifton, Ali Bates, Veronica Dallas and Danny Twumasi.
This latest fundraiser by the store was adding to the £3,000 already raised over the last few months by the store for Play2Give, their chosen local charity of the year, which they selected last July to benefit from a year’s worth of fundraising and awareness.
The voluntary-run fundraising organisation was set up by Didcot’s Andrew Baker, a former St Birinus School Didcot pupil, with friends in 2007 and to date the fundraising group have donated over £33,150 to local charities - primarily with the Oxford Children’s Hospital benefiting and over £26,700 donated to the hospital alone.
Saturday’s Sainsbury’s Big Shave Day was the mastermind of Luke, 20, who in a moment of madness declared in February he would go bald, and encouraged other colleagues - Ben and Chris - to join him. It is hoped, through the lads sponsorship and donations from that of customers and passers-by into the bucket, that up to £200 will be added into the store’s total for Play2Give.
Suffice to say, the counters department is now filled of skinheads, and the store’s final few fundraising endeavours before the end of the partnership include a bag packing day on May 2nd and plans for another sponsored stroll at the end of May.
The £3,000 raised by end of last month was a record for the Didcot store, and colleagues along with customers have got involved in various fundraising antics to date ranging from a football match last September which kicked off the year, to face painting, cake bake offs, a sponsored stroll in February which raised over £900, a nightshift worker’s ‘Movember’, checkout assistants taking on a sponsored chilli-eating challenge to flower wrapping and more.
Some of the pictures from Saturday are attached - see notes below for captions.
Notes to Editors: For more information, or for quotes, about the big shave, please speak to Andrew Baker, Play2Give, on 07939064308 or play2give@hotmail.com
Luke Norris, counters assistant (who was one of the victims) who orchestrated Saturday’s effort, on 07562224339 or Veronica Dallas, the store’s PR Ambassador and charity champion, on 07904240177.
It was razors up literally for 3 of Sainsbury’s Didcot’s employees on Saturday afternoon (April 11th) as their colleagues had no hesitations to chop off their hair for charity.
Counter assistants at the Didcot supermarket, Luke Norris, Chris Ewing and former Ben Shaw (who transferred as his role of Counters manager to their Kidlington store last month) all underwent the razors as the hands of their colleagues, Jess Clifton, Ali Bates, Veronica Dallas and Danny Twumasi.
This latest fundraiser by the store was adding to the £3,000 already raised over the last few months by the store for Play2Give, their chosen local charity of the year, which they selected last July to benefit from a year’s worth of fundraising and awareness.
The voluntary-run fundraising organisation was set up by Didcot’s Andrew Baker, a former St Birinus School Didcot pupil, with friends in 2007 and to date the fundraising group have donated over £33,150 to local charities - primarily with the Oxford Children’s Hospital benefiting and over £26,700 donated to the hospital alone.
Saturday’s Sainsbury’s Big Shave Day was the mastermind of Luke, 20, who in a moment of madness declared in February he would go bald, and encouraged other colleagues - Ben and Chris - to join him. It is hoped, through the lads sponsorship and donations from that of customers and passers-by into the bucket, that up to £200 will be added into the store’s total for Play2Give.
Suffice to say, the counters department is now filled of skinheads, and the store’s final few fundraising endeavours before the end of the partnership include a bag packing day on May 2nd and plans for another sponsored stroll at the end of May.
The £3,000 raised by end of last month was a record for the Didcot store, and colleagues along with customers have got involved in various fundraising antics to date ranging from a football match last September which kicked off the year, to face painting, cake bake offs, a sponsored stroll in February which raised over £900, a nightshift worker’s ‘Movember’, checkout assistants taking on a sponsored chilli-eating challenge to flower wrapping and more.
Some of the pictures from Saturday are attached - see notes below for captions.
Notes to Editors: For more information, or for quotes, about the big shave, please speak to Andrew Baker, Play2Give, on 07939064308 or play2give@hotmail.com
Luke Norris, counters assistant (who was one of the victims) who orchestrated Saturday’s effort, on 07562224339 or Veronica Dallas, the store’s PR Ambassador and charity champion, on 07904240177.
Supermarket staff razors up for a bald charity effort on Saturday
Release: 9 April 2015
There is some hairy fundraising set to go on at Didcot's Sainsbury's on Saturday with a charity head shaving day, all in support of local fundraisers, Play2Give.
Some of the store's colleagues will be having heads, and even beards and eyebrows if they desire, shaved to raise funds for Play2Give through sponsorship and donations from customers into the buckets with customers even able to join in and be scalped spontaneously.
Two of the store's counter assistants including Luke Norris, 20, will be the victims Uncle Fester style and will be sheared by store staff with help from Mr Play2Give himself, Andrew Baker too in butchering their hair!
The store supports Play2Give as their local charity partner of the year after choosing to support the fundraising organisation through a year's worth of fundraising and awareness last July . And, so far the store, (as reported below earlier this month), has raised a record £3,000 over the last few months.
Andrew from Didcot founded Play2Give in September 2007 after being inspired following treatment he received throughout childhood at the Oxford hospitals following on from treatment at birth for a brain injury to major brain surgery in 2001 at the age of 12 to various other medical problems. He first began fundraising for the Oxford Children's Hospital in 2003 aged 14 as a pupil at Didcot's St Birinus School. Both Andrew and the school's name sits on a glass plaque of recognition in the Atrium of the Children's Hospital, for all those donors who raised over £5,000 plus throughout the hospital's £15m building appeal. St Birinus alone was top of the schools when it came to raising funds with the school - thanks to Andrew's co-ordination - raising over £11,000 over five years.
Play2Give fundraises for local charities and has raised over £33,150 since 2007 with over £26,700 of this donated to the Children's Hospital.
The store hopes to add to the £3k total already raised through staff and customers efforts and involvement through this bald idea which, if the weather on Saturday is nice and dry as of recent days, the shaves will take place jut outside the front of the store.
There is some hairy fundraising set to go on at Didcot's Sainsbury's on Saturday with a charity head shaving day, all in support of local fundraisers, Play2Give.
Some of the store's colleagues will be having heads, and even beards and eyebrows if they desire, shaved to raise funds for Play2Give through sponsorship and donations from customers into the buckets with customers even able to join in and be scalped spontaneously.
Two of the store's counter assistants including Luke Norris, 20, will be the victims Uncle Fester style and will be sheared by store staff with help from Mr Play2Give himself, Andrew Baker too in butchering their hair!
The store supports Play2Give as their local charity partner of the year after choosing to support the fundraising organisation through a year's worth of fundraising and awareness last July . And, so far the store, (as reported below earlier this month), has raised a record £3,000 over the last few months.
Andrew from Didcot founded Play2Give in September 2007 after being inspired following treatment he received throughout childhood at the Oxford hospitals following on from treatment at birth for a brain injury to major brain surgery in 2001 at the age of 12 to various other medical problems. He first began fundraising for the Oxford Children's Hospital in 2003 aged 14 as a pupil at Didcot's St Birinus School. Both Andrew and the school's name sits on a glass plaque of recognition in the Atrium of the Children's Hospital, for all those donors who raised over £5,000 plus throughout the hospital's £15m building appeal. St Birinus alone was top of the schools when it came to raising funds with the school - thanks to Andrew's co-ordination - raising over £11,000 over five years.
Play2Give fundraises for local charities and has raised over £33,150 since 2007 with over £26,700 of this donated to the Children's Hospital.
The store hopes to add to the £3k total already raised through staff and customers efforts and involvement through this bald idea which, if the weather on Saturday is nice and dry as of recent days, the shaves will take place jut outside the front of the store.
Personal trainer with eye disorder takes on a 'monster' of a run for charity
Release: March 16 2015
A personal trainer with an eye disorder is in training to limber up for a mighty run with a difference as he prepares to take on the Monster Race at Cornbury Park on April 18.
Tom Shaw, left, a Personal Trainer who runs TS Fitness Oxfordshire, has rallied four of his ‘friends and clients’ to take on this exhilarating 5km course to raise funds for a cause close to Tom’s heart - Play2Give - to help children going through similar conditions like himself.
Tom who is also Fitness Manager at the Willowbrook Leisure Centre, Didcot, and also trains clients at The Park Club, Milton Park, feels he owes a value of life and a debt of gratitude to the eye medics that have literally transformed his life. Tom suffers from a rare eye condition known as Keratoconus, and has also experienced the invaluable work of the medics at the John Radcliffe Hospital as his younger brother also suffers from various medical conditions.
Along with Andy Morley, Jonny Simmonds, Ryan Evans and Punit Mistry, all four will be supporting Play2Give - which is a fundraising organisation set up by Andrew Baker, 26, from Didcot. The money raised for Play2Give will be donated to Oxford Children’s Hospital, the Paediatric Eye Fund at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire.
On preparing for the race, Tom says: “Being motivated for the Monster Race wasn’t hard. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with an eye condition called Keratoconus. This condition basically makes my normal vision extremely blurred as the cornea has misshapened from its usual shape to more of a cone. This condition has changed my life and will never get better. I regularly visit the Oxford Eye hospital and I see the children that have similar or worse eye conditions than myself. Seeing first hand, upon visits the tests and treatments they have to go through at such a small age, when I found out Play2Give supports the Paediatric Eye Fund at the hospital getting involved in such an exhilarating challenge was a no brainer for me.”
“As a personal trainer it is hard living with my condition but I always want to get on with my life and be active and try and achieve as much as I can. I suppose I always got this mentality from my little brother who has a form of cerebral palsy as well as other medical conditions including epilepsy. He’s four years younger than me and my whole life I have watched him fight for the most basic of things that we all take for granted such as walking and talking. His determination has got him through life and he is a much more able young adult.”
Part of a 11-strong ‘Play2Give’ team the fantastic five are hoping to raise up to £500 in their sponsorship, and as well as donations through buckets at both centres, they are hoping to reach the target through sponsored leg waxes and for Tom a ‘kettlebell’ challenge. For every £1 donated Tom will complete a 1 kettle bell swing, 350 swung in total if the target is achieved!
“The Monster Run is going to be hard but as a personal trainer I should be able to handle the physical side. On the day I’m going to be there for my clients that are doing the race with me. They have various physical abilities but all are doing the race for personal gain and to have a good laugh at the same time!" adds Tom.
Tom added: “I’m a proud trainer for the way they have trained to prep for the race. Hopefully we will raise our target and make a difference to a local cause at the same time that does such excellent work in the form of a fellow member Andrew Baker who himself has come through tough times in life from a brain injury and surgery, but, who I see regularly get back into good shape through training at the gym."
The team are joined by Craig Harris, 33, from Bicester, David Reilly, from Hampshire (an ITV Meridian journalist), Paul Lyford, 26, and Antony Shorter, 25, both of Abingdon - all four of which are friends of Andrew Baker, along with Sara Dixon, who runs the Angels Performing Stage School Didcot, and several employees of Sainsbury's Didcot also planning to take on the gauntlet.
It is hoped the team in total could raise up to £1,000 between them. The entire ‘Play2Givers’ team can be sponsored here
Play2Give has donated over £33,100 since 2007, and over £26,700 of this for the Children’s Hospital. Play2Give are now aiming towards raising a £40,000 target to sponsor the naming of its very own room within the hospital and the group are well over halfway towards this goal. Andrew founded Play2Give after being inspired following treatment from birth throughout childhood for various medical interventions after suffering a brain injury upon birth, head injury aged 8 and major brain surgery aged 12 in 2001. Andrew with the help of supporters, friends and schools, has raised over £48,000 for charities with over £41k of this for the Children's Hospital over the last 12 years. More information about Play2Give at www.play2give.org.uk.
A personal trainer with an eye disorder is in training to limber up for a mighty run with a difference as he prepares to take on the Monster Race at Cornbury Park on April 18.
Tom Shaw, left, a Personal Trainer who runs TS Fitness Oxfordshire, has rallied four of his ‘friends and clients’ to take on this exhilarating 5km course to raise funds for a cause close to Tom’s heart - Play2Give - to help children going through similar conditions like himself.
Tom who is also Fitness Manager at the Willowbrook Leisure Centre, Didcot, and also trains clients at The Park Club, Milton Park, feels he owes a value of life and a debt of gratitude to the eye medics that have literally transformed his life. Tom suffers from a rare eye condition known as Keratoconus, and has also experienced the invaluable work of the medics at the John Radcliffe Hospital as his younger brother also suffers from various medical conditions.
Along with Andy Morley, Jonny Simmonds, Ryan Evans and Punit Mistry, all four will be supporting Play2Give - which is a fundraising organisation set up by Andrew Baker, 26, from Didcot. The money raised for Play2Give will be donated to Oxford Children’s Hospital, the Paediatric Eye Fund at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire.
On preparing for the race, Tom says: “Being motivated for the Monster Race wasn’t hard. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with an eye condition called Keratoconus. This condition basically makes my normal vision extremely blurred as the cornea has misshapened from its usual shape to more of a cone. This condition has changed my life and will never get better. I regularly visit the Oxford Eye hospital and I see the children that have similar or worse eye conditions than myself. Seeing first hand, upon visits the tests and treatments they have to go through at such a small age, when I found out Play2Give supports the Paediatric Eye Fund at the hospital getting involved in such an exhilarating challenge was a no brainer for me.”
“As a personal trainer it is hard living with my condition but I always want to get on with my life and be active and try and achieve as much as I can. I suppose I always got this mentality from my little brother who has a form of cerebral palsy as well as other medical conditions including epilepsy. He’s four years younger than me and my whole life I have watched him fight for the most basic of things that we all take for granted such as walking and talking. His determination has got him through life and he is a much more able young adult.”
Part of a 11-strong ‘Play2Give’ team the fantastic five are hoping to raise up to £500 in their sponsorship, and as well as donations through buckets at both centres, they are hoping to reach the target through sponsored leg waxes and for Tom a ‘kettlebell’ challenge. For every £1 donated Tom will complete a 1 kettle bell swing, 350 swung in total if the target is achieved!
“The Monster Run is going to be hard but as a personal trainer I should be able to handle the physical side. On the day I’m going to be there for my clients that are doing the race with me. They have various physical abilities but all are doing the race for personal gain and to have a good laugh at the same time!" adds Tom.
Tom added: “I’m a proud trainer for the way they have trained to prep for the race. Hopefully we will raise our target and make a difference to a local cause at the same time that does such excellent work in the form of a fellow member Andrew Baker who himself has come through tough times in life from a brain injury and surgery, but, who I see regularly get back into good shape through training at the gym."
The team are joined by Craig Harris, 33, from Bicester, David Reilly, from Hampshire (an ITV Meridian journalist), Paul Lyford, 26, and Antony Shorter, 25, both of Abingdon - all four of which are friends of Andrew Baker, along with Sara Dixon, who runs the Angels Performing Stage School Didcot, and several employees of Sainsbury's Didcot also planning to take on the gauntlet.
It is hoped the team in total could raise up to £1,000 between them. The entire ‘Play2Givers’ team can be sponsored here
Play2Give has donated over £33,100 since 2007, and over £26,700 of this for the Children’s Hospital. Play2Give are now aiming towards raising a £40,000 target to sponsor the naming of its very own room within the hospital and the group are well over halfway towards this goal. Andrew founded Play2Give after being inspired following treatment from birth throughout childhood for various medical interventions after suffering a brain injury upon birth, head injury aged 8 and major brain surgery aged 12 in 2001. Andrew with the help of supporters, friends and schools, has raised over £48,000 for charities with over £41k of this for the Children's Hospital over the last 12 years. More information about Play2Give at www.play2give.org.uk.
An Oxford city councilor is getting ready to take on a hot challenge literally by signing up to take on a 'chili-eating' contest to fire up funds for local charities.
Mark Lygo from Headington and an Oxford city councilor for parks and sports, is no stranger to charitable requests fulfilling as many as he can for so many worthy causes.
But February 21st may just possibly be the most sizzling challenge he has ever undertaken, when he along with others, gulps down seriously hot chili's in support of Play2Give.
The Play2Give fundraising organisation was founded by Andrew Baker, a Didcot resident in 2007, and raises funds for local charities, primarily the Oxford Children's Hospital, through local events. To date, the group have donated over £32,000 to the hospital as well as many other chosen charities, such as Headway Oxfordshire and the John Radcliffe Hospital's Paediatric Eye Fund.
Mark first met Andrew at the Oxfordshire Youth Awards in 2013, when Andrew was awarded the Inspirational Entrepreneur Award. Just a couple of weeks later Mark braved the clippers in a charity head and beard shave for the Children's Hospital, in inspiration of Andrew and young hospital patient, Mya Harris.
On Saturday, February 21st Play2Give are hosting their fifth fundraising party - 'An Evening of Play2Giving 4 Entertaining 2015', which will fire up hundreds of extra pounds for Headway Oxfordshire, the Kennington-based brain injury charity. Andrew currently receives support and rehabilitation from the charity due to the head injuries he endured, as well as the Paediatric Eye Fund also benefiting.
Andrew and Daniel Buttress, a research nurse at the Oxford Eye Hospital whose staff raise funds for the childhood eye research fund, have teamed together this year to organise this night fun of fundraising and entertainment, which is being held at the Didcot Town Football Club, which the party will kick off at 7pm.
Mark will be doing his bit through raising sponsorship, and anyone who wishes to support him in this cracking heat of a feat can donate at www.make-a-donation.org/charity/play2give or e-mail marklygo@hotmail.com
Three employees of Sainsbury’s Didcot, Christopher Walker, Karl Saunders and Phil Webber, are also taking on the challenge.
As well as the chilli eating and bushtucker trial contest (which takes place between 8pm-9pm), a disco, buffet and raffle will all be provided, as well as a dazzling fireworks display from Illusion Fireworks. The evening is sponsored by Johnsons Cars Oxford and runs until late. Entry is via a £5 donation on the door, under 10s go free. More information at www.play2give.org.uk
Notes to editors: Mark Lygo can be contacted on 07826527047 / marklygo@hotmail.com
Andrew Baker (Play2Give) can be contacted on play2give@hotmail.com / or 07939064308, or Danny Buttress on Daniel.Buttress@ouh.nhs.uk / 01865 226865
Photographs for the press can be arranged, by contacting Mark, or the organisers Andy Baker or Danny Buttress, see numbers above.
Mark Lygo from Headington and an Oxford city councilor for parks and sports, is no stranger to charitable requests fulfilling as many as he can for so many worthy causes.
But February 21st may just possibly be the most sizzling challenge he has ever undertaken, when he along with others, gulps down seriously hot chili's in support of Play2Give.
The Play2Give fundraising organisation was founded by Andrew Baker, a Didcot resident in 2007, and raises funds for local charities, primarily the Oxford Children's Hospital, through local events. To date, the group have donated over £32,000 to the hospital as well as many other chosen charities, such as Headway Oxfordshire and the John Radcliffe Hospital's Paediatric Eye Fund.
Mark first met Andrew at the Oxfordshire Youth Awards in 2013, when Andrew was awarded the Inspirational Entrepreneur Award. Just a couple of weeks later Mark braved the clippers in a charity head and beard shave for the Children's Hospital, in inspiration of Andrew and young hospital patient, Mya Harris.
On Saturday, February 21st Play2Give are hosting their fifth fundraising party - 'An Evening of Play2Giving 4 Entertaining 2015', which will fire up hundreds of extra pounds for Headway Oxfordshire, the Kennington-based brain injury charity. Andrew currently receives support and rehabilitation from the charity due to the head injuries he endured, as well as the Paediatric Eye Fund also benefiting.
Andrew and Daniel Buttress, a research nurse at the Oxford Eye Hospital whose staff raise funds for the childhood eye research fund, have teamed together this year to organise this night fun of fundraising and entertainment, which is being held at the Didcot Town Football Club, which the party will kick off at 7pm.
Mark will be doing his bit through raising sponsorship, and anyone who wishes to support him in this cracking heat of a feat can donate at www.make-a-donation.org/charity/play2give or e-mail marklygo@hotmail.com
Three employees of Sainsbury’s Didcot, Christopher Walker, Karl Saunders and Phil Webber, are also taking on the challenge.
As well as the chilli eating and bushtucker trial contest (which takes place between 8pm-9pm), a disco, buffet and raffle will all be provided, as well as a dazzling fireworks display from Illusion Fireworks. The evening is sponsored by Johnsons Cars Oxford and runs until late. Entry is via a £5 donation on the door, under 10s go free. More information at www.play2give.org.uk
Notes to editors: Mark Lygo can be contacted on 07826527047 / marklygo@hotmail.com
Andrew Baker (Play2Give) can be contacted on play2give@hotmail.com / or 07939064308, or Danny Buttress on Daniel.Buttress@ouh.nhs.uk / 01865 226865
Photographs for the press can be arranged, by contacting Mark, or the organisers Andy Baker or Danny Buttress, see numbers above.
City Councillor warming up to get 'chilli' under the collar for charity - 11 February 2015
Sainsbury's strolling and striding along for charity with help from Spiderman
Release: January 27 2015
Staff at the Didcot supermarket Sainsbury's will be showing that they really do make a difference locally by strolling and striding along through the countryside in aid of charity.
On Sunday, February 1st a large group of workers from the store along with supporters from the Didcot community at large will be taking part in a sponsored walk to raise funds for local charities through the Play2Give fundraising campaign.
The store in the Orchard Centre chose Play2Give as their local fundraising partner of the year last July and so far has raised around £1,500 through a wide variety of fundraising activities, and it is hoped the very first Sainsbury's Sponsored Stroll Supporting Play2Give will raise a few hundreds of pounds.
Play2Give is a fundraising organisation which raises funds through organising events and projects for Oxford Childrens Hospital, the local brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire, and the John Radcliffe Hospital's Paediatric Eye Fund, all of which benefits through the year of fundraising support that the store has committed to a years worth of fundraising and awareness to.
The stroll, a 6-miler, starts and finishes at the supermarket through to Upton and back, with a pub pit stop at The George and Dragon in Upton, before the walk back. The group of strollers including Play2Give's Andrew Baker, will set off from outside the store at 12.30pm.
Even the greatest hero of them all, Spiderman, will be giving a helping hand inspiring the pack along their way. This will be Andrew himself who will be dressed as the infamous web-slinging character to raise extra laughs and funds along the way from hopeful passers-by, with Andrew also having his hair dyed especially for the walk, after taking on a challenge set to him by the stores workers where if he raises £200 in sponsorship himself his hair becomes just as colourful as Spiderman.
Andrew from Didcot set up Play2Give in September, 2007, with a small team of friends and since its inception the fundraising group has gone on to raise over £32,000 for local charities to date, with over £26,500 of this for the Oxford Children's Hospital.
Even a couple of the supermarket workers donning shorts for sure as fancy dress attire, and possibly even a minion and Batman might make appearances.
Various members of the public including the Didcot community, and even some supporters from Oxford, as well as walkers friends and families, and even dogs, will be joining in the fun, where an array of other fancy dress delights will be seen.
Every walker is encouraged to raise £20 minimum sponsorship to aid the charities.
For more information, see play2give.org.uk or speak to Andrew Baker, Play2Give co-ordinator, on 07939064308 or Veronica Dallas, PR Ambassador at the store, who are organising the walk, on prl.didcot@sainsburys.co.uk or 01235 814159 to arrange media interviews and/or photography.
Staff at the Didcot supermarket Sainsbury's will be showing that they really do make a difference locally by strolling and striding along through the countryside in aid of charity.
On Sunday, February 1st a large group of workers from the store along with supporters from the Didcot community at large will be taking part in a sponsored walk to raise funds for local charities through the Play2Give fundraising campaign.
The store in the Orchard Centre chose Play2Give as their local fundraising partner of the year last July and so far has raised around £1,500 through a wide variety of fundraising activities, and it is hoped the very first Sainsbury's Sponsored Stroll Supporting Play2Give will raise a few hundreds of pounds.
Play2Give is a fundraising organisation which raises funds through organising events and projects for Oxford Childrens Hospital, the local brain injury charity, Headway Oxfordshire, and the John Radcliffe Hospital's Paediatric Eye Fund, all of which benefits through the year of fundraising support that the store has committed to a years worth of fundraising and awareness to.
The stroll, a 6-miler, starts and finishes at the supermarket through to Upton and back, with a pub pit stop at The George and Dragon in Upton, before the walk back. The group of strollers including Play2Give's Andrew Baker, will set off from outside the store at 12.30pm.
Even the greatest hero of them all, Spiderman, will be giving a helping hand inspiring the pack along their way. This will be Andrew himself who will be dressed as the infamous web-slinging character to raise extra laughs and funds along the way from hopeful passers-by, with Andrew also having his hair dyed especially for the walk, after taking on a challenge set to him by the stores workers where if he raises £200 in sponsorship himself his hair becomes just as colourful as Spiderman.
Andrew from Didcot set up Play2Give in September, 2007, with a small team of friends and since its inception the fundraising group has gone on to raise over £32,000 for local charities to date, with over £26,500 of this for the Oxford Children's Hospital.
Even a couple of the supermarket workers donning shorts for sure as fancy dress attire, and possibly even a minion and Batman might make appearances.
Various members of the public including the Didcot community, and even some supporters from Oxford, as well as walkers friends and families, and even dogs, will be joining in the fun, where an array of other fancy dress delights will be seen.
Every walker is encouraged to raise £20 minimum sponsorship to aid the charities.
For more information, see play2give.org.uk or speak to Andrew Baker, Play2Give co-ordinator, on 07939064308 or Veronica Dallas, PR Ambassador at the store, who are organising the walk, on prl.didcot@sainsburys.co.uk or 01235 814159 to arrange media interviews and/or photography.
Didcot fundraising group raises record breaking amount for charities
Release: November 27 2014
A Didcot group of fundraisers set up by the town's Andrew Baker in 2007 has seen this year's fundraising endeavours with the help of supporters break all records in terms of money raised than ever in its 7-year history, with over £9,000 raised.
On Tuesday (December 2nd) at 4.30pm, Play2Give’s volunteers Andrew, along with friends and fellow organisers Dale Harris, Teresa Strike and Elaine Childs, will be visiting the Oxford Children’s Hospital bringing early Christmas cheer to the young patients in the way of the huge cheque totalling £8,590.29, and maybe a beary special visitor too - Barry Bear, the furry life-sized mascot of Newbury Building Society!
July’s football tournament alone raised £7,209 for hospital funds! Play2Give are now naming a room on Melanie’s Ward of the hospital at a £40,000 fundraising goal, and the group are already halfway in this special lifelong commitment with over £26,500 raised towards the hospital.
Andrew, a volunteer at the JR, began fundraising aged 14 in 2003 for the Children’s Hospital with the help and support of school friends and teachers at St Birinus in Didcot, and then the Didcot Girls’ School and sixth formers, before embarking on P2G in late 2007. Andrew has been repaying the Oxford hospital after being treated for a multitude of medical problems after suffering a brain injury at birth, which resulted in various medical interventions. Most notably the major brain surgery he endured aged 12 in 2001, at the Radcliffe Infirmary being the ‘inspiration’ behind his debt of gratitude back.
In February 2013, he was awarded the ‘Inspirational Entrepreneur’ Award at the Oxfordshire Youth Awards, and last month he was named winner of the Oxfordshire region in the Haines Watts Thames Valley Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards in Reading.
A fellow organiser and joint co-ordinator, Dale Harris, is involved with Andrew for Dale’s daughter, Mya Harris, has been a patient at CHOX since 2002 after she was born with spina bifida. Dale works at Elmer Cotton sports shop in the city centre, and also runs his own youth football team. Teresa and Elaine help run the football tournaments.
An army of other helpers and friends also get involved with Andrew, such as Ross Downes, who works at the Eye Hospital and is a volunteer organiser of the Paediatric Eye Fund, (a small charity set up by CK Patel, Consultant Eye Surgeon) in early 2013, by helping organise the fundraising evenings.
Ross will also be presented with a huge cheque totalling £1,101.71 to the Paediatric Eye Fund through the Play2Give group’s fundraising endeavours this year.
Play2Give was born with a football tournament, and since then a whole host of other endeavours and initiatives have been mustered.
Today, the fundraising organisation has grown and grown into a successful institution and the football fun days alone have become well renowned across the county. 2014’s day in July saw 18 boys teams take part, including Barton United U10s who will be receiving a special cup at Tuesday’s grand presentation for the team raising the most amount of sponsorship of any of the teams at this year’s tournament.
Play2Give has raised over £32,000 in total over the last 7 years. Andrew over nearly 12 years with the help of his army of fundraising friends has raised over £41,300 for the Children’s Hospital to date.
2014 Play2Give highlights:
A Didcot group of fundraisers set up by the town's Andrew Baker in 2007 has seen this year's fundraising endeavours with the help of supporters break all records in terms of money raised than ever in its 7-year history, with over £9,000 raised.
On Tuesday (December 2nd) at 4.30pm, Play2Give’s volunteers Andrew, along with friends and fellow organisers Dale Harris, Teresa Strike and Elaine Childs, will be visiting the Oxford Children’s Hospital bringing early Christmas cheer to the young patients in the way of the huge cheque totalling £8,590.29, and maybe a beary special visitor too - Barry Bear, the furry life-sized mascot of Newbury Building Society!
July’s football tournament alone raised £7,209 for hospital funds! Play2Give are now naming a room on Melanie’s Ward of the hospital at a £40,000 fundraising goal, and the group are already halfway in this special lifelong commitment with over £26,500 raised towards the hospital.
Andrew, a volunteer at the JR, began fundraising aged 14 in 2003 for the Children’s Hospital with the help and support of school friends and teachers at St Birinus in Didcot, and then the Didcot Girls’ School and sixth formers, before embarking on P2G in late 2007. Andrew has been repaying the Oxford hospital after being treated for a multitude of medical problems after suffering a brain injury at birth, which resulted in various medical interventions. Most notably the major brain surgery he endured aged 12 in 2001, at the Radcliffe Infirmary being the ‘inspiration’ behind his debt of gratitude back.
In February 2013, he was awarded the ‘Inspirational Entrepreneur’ Award at the Oxfordshire Youth Awards, and last month he was named winner of the Oxfordshire region in the Haines Watts Thames Valley Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards in Reading.
A fellow organiser and joint co-ordinator, Dale Harris, is involved with Andrew for Dale’s daughter, Mya Harris, has been a patient at CHOX since 2002 after she was born with spina bifida. Dale works at Elmer Cotton sports shop in the city centre, and also runs his own youth football team. Teresa and Elaine help run the football tournaments.
An army of other helpers and friends also get involved with Andrew, such as Ross Downes, who works at the Eye Hospital and is a volunteer organiser of the Paediatric Eye Fund, (a small charity set up by CK Patel, Consultant Eye Surgeon) in early 2013, by helping organise the fundraising evenings.
Ross will also be presented with a huge cheque totalling £1,101.71 to the Paediatric Eye Fund through the Play2Give group’s fundraising endeavours this year.
Play2Give was born with a football tournament, and since then a whole host of other endeavours and initiatives have been mustered.
Today, the fundraising organisation has grown and grown into a successful institution and the football fun days alone have become well renowned across the county. 2014’s day in July saw 18 boys teams take part, including Barton United U10s who will be receiving a special cup at Tuesday’s grand presentation for the team raising the most amount of sponsorship of any of the teams at this year’s tournament.
Play2Give has raised over £32,000 in total over the last 7 years. Andrew over nearly 12 years with the help of his army of fundraising friends has raised over £41,300 for the Children’s Hospital to date.
2014 Play2Give highlights:
- The annual children’s football tournament, in July 2014, at Oxford City Football Club saw the most amount of funds raised in the football tournament’s history - £7,209 for the Children’s Hospital.
- A fundraising party, held in February 2014 with the support of Didcot Rugby Club, saw Play2Give’s 2014 fundraising kick started, raising a record £1,814 - shared between the Children’s Hospital and the Paediatric Eye Fund of the John Radcliffe. Andrew celebrated a decade of fundraising, which he achieved in early 2013, by having his head shaved on the night - and added an extra £700 into charity funds.
- Sainsbury’s Didcot adopted Play2Give as their ‘Fundraising Partner of the Year’ in July, 2014, after nominations from customers, and a calendar of activities and events have been planned until summer 2015.
- A team of 6 took on the annual OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace in March, which helped the run with near 1,500 competitors raise a record £114,000 for the hospital.
- Supporters Matthew Hambridge, of Witney, and Lee Crook, nightshift worker at Sainsbury’s Didcot, have both taken on ‘Movember’ in November supporting Play2Give sporting mo's and between them have raised near on £270 between them
- Tesco Didcot held a sponsored slim-a-thon between store staff in January as well as buying Play2Give wristbands.
- The Park Club on Milton Park have also recently joined the bandwagon, by selling wristbands at reception and a group of Personal Trainers at the gym are taking on ‘Decembeard’ next month raising money by sprouting the most bushiest of beards throughout the festive month
- The 9th Oxfordshire Sports Awards, organised by the Oxfordshire Sport Partnership and held at Kassam Stadium, on November 28th, are also supporting Play2Give through a raffle and table collections.
Sainsbury's Didcot on the ball for Oxfordshire's sick children
Release: September 3 2014
A football match sees a year-long partnership kick off for the Didcot charity, Play2Give.
Supermarket shoppers in Didcot are being urged to dig deep and raise thousands more for charity at the town’s Sainsbury’s.
Staff at the Orchard Centre store have chosen Play2Give as the charity partner it will support over the next ten months.
Its last chosen charity was the South and Vale Carers Centre in the town.
Play2Give was set up by 26-year-old Andy Baker from the town in 2007 and to date the fundraising group of volunteers have raised around £25,000 to date for local causes, including the Oxford Children’s Hospital.
It was chosen by staff from a shortlist of two local charities including Wallingford-based charity Style Acre.
Many ideas are being drawn up to raise the funds over the coming year. To kick start proceedings and to officially launch the partnership, a football match is being held on Sunday, September 14th.
The football match contested by a Sainsbury’s Stars staff team will take on Play2Give Allstars in a fun 90-minute game at the Loop Meadow ground, the home of Didcot Town Football Club. The match will kick off at 5pm with gates opening to supporters from 4.30pm. It is hoped the match, together with bucket donations, nibbles and drinks at a post-match gathering will raise a few hundred pounds. Even Chipper the Squirrel from The Treehouse Play Centre in the town will make a special appearance and help roll in funds.
The Didcot branch have already been supporting Play2Give over the last year, with sales of wristbands at customer services, and second-hand books sales which helped the store raise near £700 for Play2Give’s fundraising aims.
Reacting to the news of the partnership, Andy said: “We’re really thankful to our friends at Sainsbury's Didcot for making us their charity of the year. We couldn’t believe it when we found out we had won the vote after I pitched to their panel of judges who work at the store in July, we were totally over the moon, it was totally unexpected.
“As a fundraising group we aim to help those charities we raise money for by organising events, initiatives and now with Sainsbury’s on board hopefully our mission status and our name will get even more recognised and supported by generating even more awareness as well as all important funds.”
Play2Give’s main events every year are football tournaments, and fundraising parties have also been held. Together with the store, the group is now drawing up a calendar of events and activities in conjunction for the store’s support with other ideas such as sponsored walks, Christmas gift wrapping sessions and in-store competitions planned.
Andy added: “Play2Give is unique in that we raise funds to give back to local charities that we have a real close connection with. For example, the money raised for Headway Oxfordshire will go towards funding their new activity & rehabilitation centre which is in the middle of a huge £200,000 fundraising campaign to redevelop its centre and expand their fast-growing services. Things like this make a real difference to those with brain injuries, and children in hospital through contributing towards top notch medical equipment that otherwise wouldn’t be possible, and will help edge us nearer to a £40,000 total to sponsor a patient room on the teenage ward. P2G is about raising funds to distribute funds to benefit so many.
“All the work we do is only possible through the generosity of supporters, and we are reliant on people and organisations like Sainsbury’s in Didcot doing fundraising events and making donations and taking part in those events we organise. so this partnership with the supermarket is going to be extremely valuable.”
The money the store raises through staff and customers including the football match on the 14th will support Play2Give’s fundraising for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, Headway Oxfordshire which supports hundreds of adults like Andrew living with brain injuries and the Paediatric Eye Fund based at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Notes to Editors: The press are welcome to come along and capture the football match in pictures.
The store is also welcoming pictures for its ‘official partnership launch’ with Play2Give to advertise the football match and the year-long support. To arrange photos/interviews, please contact Veronica Dallas at the store on 01235 814159/07904240177.
A football match sees a year-long partnership kick off for the Didcot charity, Play2Give.
Supermarket shoppers in Didcot are being urged to dig deep and raise thousands more for charity at the town’s Sainsbury’s.
Staff at the Orchard Centre store have chosen Play2Give as the charity partner it will support over the next ten months.
Its last chosen charity was the South and Vale Carers Centre in the town.
Play2Give was set up by 26-year-old Andy Baker from the town in 2007 and to date the fundraising group of volunteers have raised around £25,000 to date for local causes, including the Oxford Children’s Hospital.
It was chosen by staff from a shortlist of two local charities including Wallingford-based charity Style Acre.
Many ideas are being drawn up to raise the funds over the coming year. To kick start proceedings and to officially launch the partnership, a football match is being held on Sunday, September 14th.
The football match contested by a Sainsbury’s Stars staff team will take on Play2Give Allstars in a fun 90-minute game at the Loop Meadow ground, the home of Didcot Town Football Club. The match will kick off at 5pm with gates opening to supporters from 4.30pm. It is hoped the match, together with bucket donations, nibbles and drinks at a post-match gathering will raise a few hundred pounds. Even Chipper the Squirrel from The Treehouse Play Centre in the town will make a special appearance and help roll in funds.
The Didcot branch have already been supporting Play2Give over the last year, with sales of wristbands at customer services, and second-hand books sales which helped the store raise near £700 for Play2Give’s fundraising aims.
Reacting to the news of the partnership, Andy said: “We’re really thankful to our friends at Sainsbury's Didcot for making us their charity of the year. We couldn’t believe it when we found out we had won the vote after I pitched to their panel of judges who work at the store in July, we were totally over the moon, it was totally unexpected.
“As a fundraising group we aim to help those charities we raise money for by organising events, initiatives and now with Sainsbury’s on board hopefully our mission status and our name will get even more recognised and supported by generating even more awareness as well as all important funds.”
Play2Give’s main events every year are football tournaments, and fundraising parties have also been held. Together with the store, the group is now drawing up a calendar of events and activities in conjunction for the store’s support with other ideas such as sponsored walks, Christmas gift wrapping sessions and in-store competitions planned.
Andy added: “Play2Give is unique in that we raise funds to give back to local charities that we have a real close connection with. For example, the money raised for Headway Oxfordshire will go towards funding their new activity & rehabilitation centre which is in the middle of a huge £200,000 fundraising campaign to redevelop its centre and expand their fast-growing services. Things like this make a real difference to those with brain injuries, and children in hospital through contributing towards top notch medical equipment that otherwise wouldn’t be possible, and will help edge us nearer to a £40,000 total to sponsor a patient room on the teenage ward. P2G is about raising funds to distribute funds to benefit so many.
“All the work we do is only possible through the generosity of supporters, and we are reliant on people and organisations like Sainsbury’s in Didcot doing fundraising events and making donations and taking part in those events we organise. so this partnership with the supermarket is going to be extremely valuable.”
The money the store raises through staff and customers including the football match on the 14th will support Play2Give’s fundraising for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, Headway Oxfordshire which supports hundreds of adults like Andrew living with brain injuries and the Paediatric Eye Fund based at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Notes to Editors: The press are welcome to come along and capture the football match in pictures.
The store is also welcoming pictures for its ‘official partnership launch’ with Play2Give to advertise the football match and the year-long support. To arrange photos/interviews, please contact Veronica Dallas at the store on 01235 814159/07904240177.
Bookworms to raise funds at Sainsbury's on Saturday
Release: April 13 2014
Bookworms from in and around Didcot can help boost funds for local charities at a fundraising books bonanza on Easter Saturday.
Sainsbury’s in the Orchard Centre are hosting a books sale in the main entrance foyer from
9.30am onwards at the supermarket and all proceeds raised will benefit Play2Give, Oxfordshire-based fundraising organisation set up by Didcot’s Andrew Baker.
Proceeds Play2Give makes from each book sold at the store will be added towards its 2014 fundraising appeal for the Oxford Children’s Hospital and the Oxford Paediatric Eye Fund, at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Both charities Play2Give is supporting this year. Play2Give has already raised over £19,000 since 2007 for the Children’s Hospital as its main chosen charity.
Andrew set up Play2Give as a thank you back to the Oxford doctors who treated him throughout childhood, including major brain surgery at the age of 12. Andrew has raised over £34,000 over the last 11 years with friends and supporters for the hospital.
Anyone can also donate a book by dropping into the crate inside the main entrance doors of the supermarket. Books will be sold from 50p on Saturday and Play2Give’s wristbands will also be available.
The scheme was set up by the store last month, when they introduced the scheme to raise funds for Sport Relief. It is hoped Saturday’s fundraiser which runs throughout the day will be another success. If successful it could become a regular Saturday fixture for charity.
Bookworms from in and around Didcot can help boost funds for local charities at a fundraising books bonanza on Easter Saturday.
Sainsbury’s in the Orchard Centre are hosting a books sale in the main entrance foyer from
9.30am onwards at the supermarket and all proceeds raised will benefit Play2Give, Oxfordshire-based fundraising organisation set up by Didcot’s Andrew Baker.
Proceeds Play2Give makes from each book sold at the store will be added towards its 2014 fundraising appeal for the Oxford Children’s Hospital and the Oxford Paediatric Eye Fund, at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Both charities Play2Give is supporting this year. Play2Give has already raised over £19,000 since 2007 for the Children’s Hospital as its main chosen charity.
Andrew set up Play2Give as a thank you back to the Oxford doctors who treated him throughout childhood, including major brain surgery at the age of 12. Andrew has raised over £34,000 over the last 11 years with friends and supporters for the hospital.
Anyone can also donate a book by dropping into the crate inside the main entrance doors of the supermarket. Books will be sold from 50p on Saturday and Play2Give’s wristbands will also be available.
The scheme was set up by the store last month, when they introduced the scheme to raise funds for Sport Relief. It is hoped Saturday’s fundraiser which runs throughout the day will be another success. If successful it could become a regular Saturday fixture for charity.
Thames Valley Charity of the Year Established 2007 - Changing transforming and saving lives across Oxfordshire
Patrons: Dr Winston Ellis and David Johnston OBE MP
Play2Give, The Lambourn, Wyndyke Furlong, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 1UJ
Email: hello@play2give.org.uk | Telephone: 07939064308
Patrons: Dr Winston Ellis and David Johnston OBE MP
Play2Give, The Lambourn, Wyndyke Furlong, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 1UJ
Email: hello@play2give.org.uk | Telephone: 07939064308
