Join the Oxvox walkers to raise money for two great causes
On Saturday 27 October a number of Oxford fans will be walking from the Kassam Stadium to the U’s away match at Wycombe Wanderers to raise money for two great charities.
OxVox has arranged the 24 mile walk to raise money for the Oxford United Youth and Community Trust (a registered charity) and Helen & Douglas House. All the money raised from the walk will be split equally between the two charities.
The Oxford United Youth and Community Trust engages with more than 30,000 people per year and is an integral part of the local community. But the grants the Trust receives don’t cover its running costs, and the walk aims to raise as much money as possible to plug this gap.
Helen & Douglas House has the time and expertise to care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions and support their families. The two hospice houses offer specialist symptom and pain management, medically-supported short breaks and end-of-life care, as well as counselling and practical support for the whole family. It costs more than £4.5 million per year to run both hospice houses but the charity receive only 15-18% of this from sources other than voluntary donations.
The walk will start at 5:30am from the Kassam Stadium and will take approximately seven hours to complete. Oxford United youth and community manager Richard Blackmore will be taking part in the marathon walk as will director Simon Lenagan. The travelling yellow army will march with the match ball and present it to the referee just before kick-off.
OxVox is inviting fans to take part in the walk to help raise as much money as possible for both charities. If you would like to join the walk email chair@oxvox.org.uk if you don’t fancy stretching your legs then we are also looking for businesses to take a collection pot to take donations on our behalf. If you would willing to have a collection pot please email us.
OxVox chairman Mark Sennett said: “We are delighted to be able to raise funds for both charities, which play an important role in our local community. The walk should be great fun for everyone taking part and we hope lots of fans will volunteer to join us.
Simon Lenagan said:
"We're really looking forward to this. Events like this just emphasise how close the bond is between the club and the fans and to walk together for two great causes will be a very special day."
Helen and Douglas House senior community and events fundraiser Poppy Hanbury added: “We are thrilled to be one of the chosen charities for the OxVox Walk to Wycombe. We are so grateful for all the hard work that the team have been putting in to this event to raise vital funds for the charity, which cares for children and young adults with life shortening conditions. It people like yourselves who we rely on heavily to help us raise the 4.5 million it takes to run both the houses.”
You can donate to the walk online at www.justgiving.com/oxvox or in person at the Priory pub.