Thames Valley Charity of the Year 2020
About Play2Give
Play2Give is an award-winning charity founded by brain injury survivor, Andrew Baker MBE BCAv. We raise funds, large and small, through numerous year-round events, sponsored fundraisers, raffles, stalls at events, tombolas and donations, with 100% used to meet our stated aims, and no amount goes towards staffing, we are a purely volunteer-driven group.
Where it all began
Since our very first football tournament in 2007, continuing Andrew Baker’s fundraising he began in 2003 at school, we have now amassed over £700,000 to date through funds raised, and through gifts provided at Christmas as part of our Sleigh2Give arm.
In total over 40 good causes and tens of thousands of individuals have been helped and benefited through our amazing work, quite literally changing, transforming, and saving lives locally.
Who we have helpedPlay2Give founder being awarded an MBE
Founder Andy Baker was honoured with an MBE, for services to charity, by the late Queen Elizabeth II in the New Year Honours 2021.
Read more about Andrew's MBE£130k for Oxford Children's Hospital in 24 years
2023 saw us reach a milestone amount raised for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, with a landmark £100,000. Across two decades, fundraising events, collections, tombolas and more saw us achieve this momentous total for the children’s hospital. Now, in 24 years over £130,000 alone has been raised for this very special hospital which was only built thanks to charitable fundraising.
Read more about our supportThe Play2Give Room at Oxford Children's Hospital
Our very own sponsored patient room sits within the teenage ward at the children’s hospital.
The single room, which was formally opened in 2017, was funded thanks to £40,000 at almost a decade’s worth of fundraising – including football tournaments.
Caring for teenage patients having long-term stays, read more about The Play2Give Room
£40k raised for the benefit of brain injury survivors
As a thank you, our sponsored sensory room funded at £5k, which officially opened in early 2026, has been named Andy’s Room as a lasting legacy in Andy’s honour.
Sleigh2Give is our festive arm
In 2015, we created our festive arm of the charity, ‘Sleigh2Give’. Sleigh2Give is our annual Christmas toy and gift appeal, which is all about spreading cheer, joy and smiles to children in hospitals, hospices, the vulnerable and those less fortunate. 2024 saw our appeal mark it’s tenth anniversary and what a way to celebrate ten incredible years of the gift giving drive with a record number of presents donated worth around £70k in value to 14 different organisations.
Learn more about Sleigh2GiveA tribute to Angela Norris
In November 2020, Play2Give lost a much-loved and dedicated supporter, Angela Norris, who was very passionate about our work.
Angela supported us in so many ways until her death aged 65, and even volunteered her time to help in part. Our gala balls was her favorite social event and a volunteer award had been created in her name.
Read about Angela