Oxford United in the Community Trustee Patron James Constable has signed up to cycle 200 miles in support of a children’s health charity.
'Beano' played for the U’s between 2009 and 2014 and scored 106 goals, making him the club’s all-time second highest goal scorer. The fans’ favourite became Patron of the club’s official charity Oxford United in the Community earlier this year.
James has now added his support to the #TOO500, a cycling challenge for Oxfordshire based children’s charity Thinking of Oscar. The #TOO500 event is a 500-mile cycle ride over five days, comprising of five individual 100-mile legs, to mark the fifth anniversary of Thinking of Oscar. Participants can cycle any number of legs and James will take part in the last two days of the event. The last day of the event sets off at the London Olympic Park, visits Great Ormond Street Hospital and ends at Blenheim Palace.
#TOO500 aims to raise £500,000 to invest in innovative projects at six children’s hospitals and act as a catalyst for positive change in child healthcare nationally. James was inspired to take part in the fund-raiser as Great Ormond Street Hospital is caring for his youngest daughter, Mollie. He joins Oxford United in the Community Trustee Stuart Bradney who is taking part in all five days of the #TOO500.
James said: “I had no hesitation in taking part in #TOO500, it’s a wonderful charity and such an important cause. At Oxford United in the Community we’re doing all we can to support Thinking of Oscar.
“My family has learnt first-hand just how important children’s hospitals are. It’s only when you need them do you really appreciate how dedicated the staff are and what a fantastic job, they do at hospitals all over the UK.
“The staff at Great Ormond Street have been unbelievable to us in caring for Mollie and I’m grateful to have this opportunity to give something back. Thinking of Oscar is such an important cause and I’d encourage as many people as possible to help out and give what you can afford to help us improve child health care in the UK.”
Chris Lowes, Head of Operations at Oxford United in the Community said: “The two charities have formed a close partnership, and both share a passion for improving the lives of children. James and Stuart are really stepping up to back #TOO500 and support improvement in child health. We wish them both all the best and hope the United family clubs together to support them and Thinking of Oscar.”
Hannah Cole of Thinking of Oscar said: “The support of James and Oxford United in the Community for #TOO500 is fantastic. Sign ups for the event are taking shape and the more people that take part and support #TOO500 via Just Giving the more can be done to improve outcomes in child health in the UK.”
Cyclists will set off from Oxford Children’s Hospital on June 12th and visit other major children’s hospitals in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and London.
Thinking of Oscar was set up by Hannah and David Cole in memory of their son Oscar who died suddenly and unexpectedly in Oxford on June 19th 2014. They founded Thinking of Oscar with the objective of enhancing the experiences of children and their families in hospital care by investing in projects and innovations within child health which have the potential to benefit children nationally.
You can register to take part in #TOO500 via the website: https://too500.co.uk
Or you can sponsor James Constable here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-constable9
For more information about Thinking of Oscar visit: https://thinkingofoscar.com/