Milk Cup hero to walk to Wycombe
Former Oxford United midfield hero Les Phillips has agreed to join the OxVox walkers for the walk to Wycombe on Saturday 27 October. Over 20 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.
Les Phillips, who featured for United in the top flight and the epic Milk Cup win over QPR at Wembley in 1986, told us "I'm not too sure what I've let myself in for! But it's for two great causes and I'm happy to join in for what promises to be a fantastic event. Hopefully my involvement will help with the fundraising effort."
OxVox chairman Mark Sennett said: "When Les contacted me to ask to join the walk I was thrilled. It's a huge honour to have a U's legend taking part and shows how much he still cares for the club. Les is passionate about raising money for these two great charities so please support his efforts and the efforts of the 22 other great fans who have agreed to take part. We've already raised nearly £500 and with the great fans we have I'm sure we will raise large amount of money for these worthy causes. You can donate to sponsor us on our justgiving page or by donating in person at the club or the Priory Pub."
You can donate to the walk online at www.justgiving.com/oxvox or in person at the Priory pub.