Over £4,400 raised for Chair’s chosen charities
More than £4,400 has been raised for two local charities thanks to the generosity of West Oxfordshire residents, councillors and local businesses over the past year.
The fundraising took place during Councillor Andrew Coles’s year as Chair of West Oxfordshire District Council, before he hands over to his successor, at the council’s annual meeting on 20th May.
The Chair of the Council traditionally choses a charity/charities to champion and fundraise for during their year in office. Among the activities and events Councillor Coles hosted this year were numerous coffee mornings and bake sales, a civic curry dinner at a popular local restaurant and a special Christmas Carol service held at St Batholomew's Church in Ducklington.
The two charities benefiting are Dementia Oxfordshire, a service provided by Oxfordshire Age UK, and Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue. They reflect Councillor Coles's love of nature and the impact dementia has had on a close family member. The total amount raised this civic year was £4,402.88, which is being shared equally between the two charities.
Chair of West Oxfordshire District Council, Councillor Andrew Coles, said: “It has been a real honour and privilege to serve as Chair over the past year and to meet so many residents, visitors, charities and businesses as part of my duties and engagements. I am particularly proud to have drawn attention to the wonderful work of both Dementia Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue and highlight the genuine difference they are making across West Oxfordshire and beyond"
Peter Johnson, Head of Service for Dementia Oxfordshire, said: “We are so grateful for the money raised by Councillor Coles, and really appreciate the enormous effort that has gone into raising such an incredible amount. Money from fundraising allows us to organise social groups and activities where carers and people with dementia can meet others in a similar situation, building a vital network and warding off the social isolation and loneliness can so often be the reality for people with a dementia diagnosis and their unpaid carers. We also use this additional funding to print paper copies of guides and key publications, which is so important for those who are not able to access information online.”
Luke Waclawek, Founder and CEO of Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue, said: "We are all extremely grateful for Councillor Coles's amazing support this year and for all the help and exposure. We were especially delighted to welcome Andrew to our Wildlife Rescue Centre earlier in the civic year so he could see firsthand what we do and meet our team of volunteers. As a small charity, our work is funded entirely by the kindness and generosity of donations by our supporters and members of the public".
The attached photo shows Councillor Coles welcoming one of Dementia Oxfordshire's Locality Managers, Kerry Hyatt, to WODC's Woodgreen offices to collect their cheque.