Harborough volunteers raise their ever-biggest amount for charity

A group of volunteers in Harborough have raised their ever-biggest amount for charity.

In the last 12 months Harborough Friends of Oxfam have raised almost £6,000 for the charity’s work around the world.

The last fundraising event was in the Angel Hotel in Market Harborough on March 11, just a few days before the UK lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID19 started.

Judith Rout, chair of the group, said: “That night we raised £250 - at the time we couldn’t imagine that it would have been our last event for a while.”

The group organised a series of events throughout the year, including quizzes, open garden events, film nights, coffee mornings and even a busking mini festival.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has made this achievement possible- without the support of our community we would have never made it”, said Rout

“The money raised will support Oxfam delivering clean water and sanitation to communities around the world – and now more than ever that work is desperately needed.”

Although the current lockdown situation is difficult, Ms Rout and the other volunteers are looking to find different ways to fundraise and work together.

“We are producing some fun quiz sheets that people are going to be able to share and use with their families once this is all over. It is important we keep going, especially given that in the next few months Oxfam’s work will be greatly needed.”

Oxfam is working in 65 countries working with other organisations, government ministries of health, and key UN agencies to coordinate their humanitarian response to COVID-19. In Italy Oxfam has launched an appeal –to fund protective equipment for health workers like gloves, ventilating machines for Italian hospitals and support for Italian teachers to work online.

To become a supporter of the Harborough Friends of Oxfam please contact Judith at [email protected]