To commemorate Oxford United’s 125th Anniversary the Yellow Army will be walking from the spot where the club was founded to the stadium – in aid of Oxford United in the Community and Oxfordshire Mind.
Fans will walk from the Britannia Inn, Headington, to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday 27th October ahead of our big home match against Shrewsbury Town.
The four-mile charity walk will start at 11:00am and United legend Les Robinson, Managing Director Niall McWilliams and Mark Brannagan (Cameron’s dad) will walk with fans.
Funds raised will be split between Oxford United in the Community and Oxfordshire Mind.
Oxford United in the Community is the football club’s official charity and its dedicated team helps inspire youngsters to reach their potential and improve their health and wellbeing via the power of football, engagement and education.
Kate Longworth, CEO of Oxford United in the Community, said: “On behalf of everyone at Oxford United’s charity I want to extend a huge thank you to the Yellow Army for backing us again so superbly.
"Using the unique appeal of Oxford United the charity helps change lives across Oxfordshire and funds raised from this inspiring event will be used to continue to help support children and young people to achieve their full potential.
"It’s such a boost for the charity’s great staff to be directly backed by the club’s fans, it means so much to us and it’s wonderful that on such a special day for Oxford United the fans, who have always been the bedrock of the club, are going to so lengths to support the work we do in the community.
"It’s also befitting that the Yellow Army have selected Oxfordshire Mind as the other beneficiary of the walk in the season when the EFL and Mind launched its national ‘On Your Side’ partnership. We’re looking forward to working with them around shared concerns with mental health in Oxfordshire.”
Oxfordshire Mind are part of the network of Mind associations working for better mental health across England and Wales. 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives and suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged 20-49 years in England and Wales.
Leanne Merritt, Community Fundraiser of Oxfordshire Mind, said: “Oxfordshire Mind would like to say a very big thank you to The Yellow Army for choosing to support us through your 125 Walk at the end of October.
"As a charity, Oxfordshire Mind relies on the donations of our supporters and fundraisers to help us develop our work. Your fundraising will help us to raise awareness of mental health and mental wellbeing across Oxfordshire and bring our services to more people who are in need of support.”
From the start of the 2018/19 football season, Mind became the EFL’s new Official Charity Partner with a goal to enhance and improve the way that football, sport and society approaches mental health and will seek to increase awareness and understanding amongst fans, clubs and staff alike.
With one in four individuals affected by mental health problems, the EFL will work with its network of 72 Clubs and community trusts to promote Mind’s message and services to millions nationwide with four ambitions to promote better mental health:
- support EFL players, managers and staff
- raise awareness about mental health with fans, clubs and staff
- raise funds to deliver life changing support
- improve the approach to mental health in the EFL, in football and in wider society
If you would like to take part in the walk, contact the Yellow Army via: 125@yellowarmy.co.uk
If you would like to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/YellowArmy125