Some brave Cancer Research UK people were on the Market Place this morning. They were giving out flowers and balloons, and collecting money and raising awareness.
Upcoming fund raisers include a mens 5k run on March 12th at Oxford Rugby Club, and Relay for LIfe – an overnight community event on the weekend of August 20th/21st , also at Oxford Rugby Club, that celebrates cancer survivors, and remembers those lost to cancer with a moving Candle of Hope Ceremony.
Lent runs from now until Easter. Each year a different Charity is adopted for the Trinity Church Lent Project – to raise money, and find out about, and pray for the charity.
On Sunday at Trinity, Chris Bryan, chair of trustees, told us of the work of The Abingdon Bridge – this year’s Lent Project.
Chris says the charity moved to The old County Police Station in May 2014. He said their name can be sometimes misunderstood. They are not a Bridge Club; nor do they brew Abingdon Bridge beer, nor maintain the nearby Abingdon Bridge over the Thames. They are not a care home. Nor are they the Police Station able to sort out the Abingdon Traffic problems.
They were set up in 1993 as a young persons drop in centre. Since then the charity has evolved, and now they do a lot of work with vulnerable young people, often facing challenging circumstances. Last year they helped 83 individuals in 1375 sessions.
A lot of their work is done as outreach at other locations in Abingdon. They have qualified staff who provide information, advice, and counselling to young people.
They are dependent on donations for their work. That includes fairly large donations such as recent ones from Frilford Heath Golf Club, and the Manor School. We shall see how much the Lent Project raises in the next few weeks.
Find out more about The Abingdon Bridge here. Maybe, make it your Lent Project.
The workmen will soon be in at Oxfam in Abingdon. The floor, that has been supporting businesses at that address for over a hundred years, needs to be replaced. Oxfam have been there for nearly 30 of those years.
So all the trinkets have been cleared away to make space.
The clothes and books, fairtrade products and crafts etc have been put in storage to clear the floor.
If all goes to plan Oxfam will be open again in two weeks time.
The Church in Abingdon, Christian Aid New Year walk began this morning at 10 am from Abingdon Baptist Church/35 Ock Street. There were about 60 participants.
The route was to include the Sustrans Path towards Radley, Radley Lakes, Radley College and Lodge Hill with a refreshment stop at Radley Church Hall. The first 2 pictures shows participants leaving Abingdon Baptist Church.
The next 2 pictures shows participants passing Abingdon County Hall.
A guide and map of the walk was available at the start for £1. People started together but could make their own way round, at their own pace. Many participants had raised sponsorship towards the Christian Aid Christmas appeal, others just made a donation.