Award-winning charity’s football tournament returns to score goals in one

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