Abingdon Market Place was looking busier this morning with more tables out and people drinking coffee. There was also a busker singing ‘Eight Days a Week’. But no signs of a return to Market Place events yet.

Against Breast Cancer (an Abingdon based charity) say they are unable to host their annual Splash of Pink Event in Abingdon Town centre this year. However, they have announced that next weekend (18th & 19th July), Splash of Pink will be virtual! The weekend is designed for every member of the family, with the Sunday filled with entertainment for children. From live music, fitness sessions, cooking, arts & crafts, Disney sing-along’s and much more. You can tune in via the @againstbc Facebook Page and help fund vital research into secondary spread breast cancer.

The Acacia UK charity shop in Bath Street reopened today. The shop has been closed after fire damage in September 2017 and subsequent delays in its restoration. The reopening was further delayed because of the Coronavirus lockdown.

This is the third Charity Shop to open in Abingdon since the lockdown. A perspex screen has been installed to shield volunteers serving customers. A notice on the doors asks for a maximum of eight customers at any one time.

There are three Acacia shops, the other two are in Faringdon and Grove. They raise money to support children of differing mental and physical abilities in Kenya and Uganda to enjoy a high quality education. The charity has worked with children in Africa since 1995 – the original name being Action for People in Conflict.

Oxfordshire learning disability charity Yellow Submarine, who do a lot of activities in Abingdon, is marking 100 days of lockdown by a 24-hour live-streaming marathon this Monday.

Staff member Jack has kept its members entertained, comforted, challenged and stimulated from day one, and now he’s going the extra mile by vowing to keep awake for 24 hours and keep the entertainment coming.

Throughout lockdown, Jack has hosted quizzes and talent shows, DJ’d discos, given fitness workouts, held cooking and art demos and more.

Yellow Submarine is hoping to raise £1000 over the 24 hours. Jack has promised to shave off his unruly hair and beard live on screen if the target is reached during the streaming.

Jack says, ‘But as well as a fundraiser, this is an opportunity to celebrate the strength, resilience and bravery of all of our members during this challenging time, they have done INCREDIBLY!’

Visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/submastreamathon to help.