This September, award-winning Didcot-born fundraising organisation Play2Give reaches a momentous anniversary, so we got in touch with founder Andrew Baker MBE BCAv to learn about the organisation’s history as well as what they have planned for the 15th birthday celebration and the future.
Can you tell our readers a little bit about Play2Give and what it provides within the Didcot community?
Play2Give is a continuation of the fundraising I started aged 14 twenty years ago when I was at St Birinus School in the town, which involved raising funds for Oxford Children's Hospital. It was born out of a football tournament – Playing Football to Give to Charity – that was meant to be a one-off event, but it was really popular and successful, so we carried on. Over the years we have grown and grown into the fundraising organisation that we are today, which is able to support a wide range of local charities including children, health and disability causes like Headway Oxfordshire, the specialist brain injury charity for adults in Oxfordshire which I have been under the care of for ten years now. There are over 40 causes that we have helped to date, and countless individuals along the way. We organise a wide range of events all year round, from black tie balls and galas, festive markets, colour runs, and of course, the football tournaments where it all started. You name it, Play2Give does it.
What motivated you to start an organisation like this?
To give back for the care and treatment that I received as a child. I suffered a brain injury at birth so my everyday life can be quite challenging living with this disability I was born with and at age 12 I had brain surgery following a further head injury sustained aged eight. This inspired me to start fundraising at age 14 as previously mentioned, for the build of Oxford’s specialist children’s hospital, so it’s just about giving back really, and as a thank you for my gift of life twice over.
Why do you think it’s so important for our community to have access to an organisation like Play2Give?
It’s really important, especially in this economic climate where charities will rely a lot on donations. People often forget that while the children's hospital was built, for example, it still needs funding to provide all the added extras and the comforts for these young patients and their families – only fundraising does that. In terms of Sleigh2Give (our Christmas present appeal), it’s important to spread joy and smiles. It’s amazing what giving one gift to a child in need or in hospital can do to make them and their families smile.
What does it mean to you to have your organisation reach 15 years and still be growing?
Yes, it’s our 15th birthday party on the park event on 10 September, who would have thought that 15 years on we would still be going and growing? It’s really hard for little groups like us to get funding, but people have really taken us into their hearts and my background and story really seems to inspire the community. It’s been really inspiring for me as well, to see the support we have received and the number of lives we have touched over the years. We meet lots of the young people and families along the way who benefit from our fundraising, it might be a child receiving intensive physiotherapy at Footsteps or perhaps Headway who at one point faced closure but through our funding in part have been able to remain open which is amazing to see.
Do you have a most memorable experience?
That’s a really hard one. One highlight would be giving out toys on the children's hospital wards, that was each December pre-covid but remains a favourite memory of the team, as does the football tournament as it’s how we first started. The Christmas market is great as well because it brings the Christmas spirit to people but there have just been so many good memories over the years and our gala balls are quite legendary. And, of course cutting the ribbon in March 2017 to The Play2Give Room on the teenage ward at the children’s hospital is always a proud group moment. As long as it brings people smiles and people are having fun and of course, the end purpose of raising lots and lots of money is being achieved so that we can help lots and lots of people, that’s all that matters. And for me personally, meeting Princess Anne at Windsor Castle and receiving my MBE for services to charity will always be a top moment.
You mentioned the other day that you are going to visit number 10 tomorrow, can you tell us anything about that?
The Prime Minister is holding a reception to celebrate Points of Light Award winners over the years and I was awarded as the UK’s 1,290th Points of Light winner in January 2020. To get the opportunity to meet other inspiring people from across the country will be amazing, and as a thank you in person from the PM for my contribution to my community. I’ve been chatting to one or two of them already which is great. I’ve been talking about my date at number 10, and not many believes me, I’m like no I really have got an invitation! So, I’ve been joking it’s because I’m becoming the Prime Minister.
Gone up for the role, have you?
Well there is still a vacancy after all! But no, it’ll be really cool and special once in a lifetime opportunity and I’ll be able to wear my MBE and BCAv medals that I’m really proud of so I’m really looking forward to it. I’m sure it’ll be another memorable experience to add.
What is next for Play2Give?
Well hopefully we’ll keep going from strength from strength. We have lots of events lined up like the third Festive Market in December in partnership with Didcot Events. We have our Party in the Park at Boundary Park which this year is a special event to commemorate our 15th year, but hopefully it’s going to become an annual event to bring people together and have fun. Our football tournament is coming back next July, and we will keep doing all of our brilliant events along with some other new ideas in the pipeline. We have an increased number of volunteers and now trustees which is brilliant and more exciting developments including a brand-new look website. Hopefully Sleigh2Give will keep on growing as well its crazy to think in two years’ time it will be the 10th anniversary of Sleigh2Give, which again was just meant to be a one-off Christmas toy appeal in 2015 with Sainsbury’s in the town. We were their local charity for a year and since then they just kept the support going – it’s been incredible to see the growth in this time, from three sacks of toys in December 2015 delivered to children’s wards to the vast amount that we accumulate now which is thousands worth thousands. This year’s festive appeal launches this month.
What can the community do to support Play2Give?
They can do a whole range of things…
- Go online to our website (org.uk) and donate
- Organise a fundraising event and receive lots of support from us
- Take on a sponsored challenge like a run or a skydive or even a cake sale
- Come along to one of our events
- Become a volunteer, anyone can volunteer from the ages of 16 onwards
- Businesses can adopt us as their charity
- Find us on social media and keep up with what we do.
We have a brand-new website launching in September, so people can find all the information they need to know by heading there.
