I’ve lost track of the years this intrepid collector has been at his post at Coxeters in Abingdon, doing his bit for Children in Need. In the summer he’s there in his shorts, tanned like he’s just stepped off the plane from somewhere far more sunny. And when November brings rain, and ‘it’s horrible out there’ – like today, he is there to lift the spirits raising money for BBC’s Children in Need.

The Kings Head and Bell also have something lined up. They say: ‘Join us this Friday for our Children in Need Charity Night in support of a great cause. Enjoy an evening of entertainment with our live DJ, a raffle, and darts.’

This year’s Poppy Appeal was highlighted on the Market Place this morning with a table selling poppies, and two vintage military vehicles.

One was an ex-US military ambulance, the other a jeep with a folding motorcycle on the front and a spray of poppies in the gun turret.

There will be a Poppy Ball at the Hilton Garden Inn on Friday 7th November, organised by Clare Oldfield from Abingdon Royal British Legion Club. Re-enactors from the Redline Home Guard will greet guests, with music from Abingdon’s own 20-piece SwingTime orchestra and floral displays by The Abingdon Flower Club.

Tickets (£10) are available from the Royal British Legion Club on Spring Road, the Hilton Garden Inn, Frend the Jeweller, and The Bookstore.

Clare said,  “This is my 10th year as Abingdon’s Poppy Appeal organiser, and I’m determined to make it count. Abingdon has always taken the poppy to its heart, and this ball will not only raise funds for this amazing charity but also celebrate all that’s good in the town.”

Fundraising at St Ethelwold’s, the community building and garden, is going well. The appeal reached its £10,000 matched funding target by October 10th, doubling that to £20,000. There’s now just £10,000 to go to meet the £70,000 crowdfunding goal for essential repairs. The St Ethelwold’s Trust has also set aside £70,000 to support the work.

On Sunday, there was Fun Yoga in the garden, followed by tea, and cakes with participants giving a £10 donation towards the appeal.

There were also jars of homemade quince jelly and knobbly, pear-like quinces for sale.

On Saturday October 4th, Robin Day and his twins were given a send-off by the Mayor of Abingdon and the Town Crier as they set off on a sponsored tandem ride in aid of Camp Mohawk — a day centre near Wargrave that supports children and young people with special needs and their families. Camp Mohawk has played a very important role for Robin and his children.

Robin cycled from Dalton Barracks to RAF Benson after learning how challenging fundraising has been this year for the charity, saying he was determined ‘to make a difference for the 700+ families who rely on the charity’s support.’

Thanks were also extended to Charlotte’s Tandems for providing the adapted bike — previously featured on this blog during Ride and Stride in September — and to the Abingdon Freewheelers, who accompanied them on the journey. Help was also given by the Fund-raising Organiser at Camp Mohawk and two members of the Berkshire Freemasons. Robin is deeply grateful to all of them for their help.

You can sponsor Robin’s ride here:
JustGiving – Thank You Camp Mohawk

(Thank you to Mary for the picture and for letting me know about it.)