What an amazing week of Play2Give generosity!
Once again we are blown away by the incredible support of our community, and more so than ever with the challenges of the cost of living crisis yet people’s generosity and kindness never diminishes.
This week, since Sunday, we have received hundreds of gifts for our 8th Sleigh2Give Christmas Appeal – all toys and presents to help spread cheer, joy and smiles to children less fortunate this Christmas.
And, we never take any donation and all support for granted. We truly appreciate each and every donation whether its on physical form or financially, to help us in changing, transforming and saving lives across Oxfordshire, and beyond.
Recently Andy has been likened to as “the giving king”.
Sunday saw us receive over 70 toys from the fantastic students and families of BSWK Karate & Karate Kids, all was handed over and received by Andy, pictured with Cassie and two little helpers.
Our long-time friends Changing Lives Charity Shop in Didcot brought over £600 worth on Monday delivered to Space Store. And, despite their own challenges this year with premises closure and having to find a new home, in amongst all the bustle they’ve still contributed and provided so much, to make the festive season more special for those facing hardship, confined to hospital beds, and the vulnerable.
Changing Lives are real pillars of the Didcot community, unsung heroes who do so much to assist the lives of others through grants and donations raised from sales by their charity shop.
Monday was a day spent sorting and sifting through hundreds of gifts to hand over to Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire – who collected their huge donation of toys from Andy this morning (14/12).
Today, Andy visited Willowcroft Community School in Didcot to head to say “thanks” in person for the amazing collection their fantastic school pupils and families have donated – one parent spent £50 to ensure that a child less fortunate or those in hospital – receive the joy of a smile this Christmas.
Once again, the primary school’s community has shown astounding kindness in gifting for other children in need.
And, today has also been a bumper day for our charity, as St Birinus School in Didcot – Andy’s old school – held a festive bake sale raising over £200 for our charity in our 15th anniversary year!
Whilst, the Didcot Sixth Form dressed down in festive attire – from the students usual smart uniform – to also raise funds for us.
Whilst the grand total raised by the D6 is yet to be known, it is the third year the Sixth Form have supported us through a festive dress down day, and last year they raised over £293!
Andy was also delighted to see Mikeonabike, the magnificent Michael Hampton, from Banbury who also donated an incredible lot of items to aid our fundraising, some of these will go for the children in the hospital, and finally over 42 gifts was dropped off by Vertex Pharmaceuticals on Milton Park who had an office collection amongst their 150-plus team.
All support, and all donations, of which we are always immensely grateful for, and we never cease to be amazed by the love, support and warmth we receive from the community in which we live and serve.
Sleigh2Give 8 has seen such an overwhelming number of gifts received once again, that this year we will also be spreading our Christmas cheer with toys for the children’s wards at the Royal Berkshire Hospital next week.
Friday will see gifts raised from Sleigh2Give delivered to SSNAP (Support for the Sick Newborn and their Parents), Oxford Children’s Hospital and Helen & Douglas House.
We couldn’t do what we do without all the amazing support we receive, throughout the year.
What a wonderful week so far, and we can’t wait to sprinkle lots of cheer, joy and smiles to poorly children, families and siblings in hospital and those at our local children’s hospice, on Friday.
Once again an enormous thank you