News and events archive 2010

UCARE Christmas appeal

In November and December 2010 we asked you to make a donation to our Christmas Appeal and raise vital funds - you were also asked to contribute to a paper chainby writing an inspirational message and send it back to us. These links went on to form part of a large paper chain organised by the FSI, with links from different small charities from around the UK! Thank you for supporting our appeal - we raised £700

UCARE Charity Evening at the Aegon Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall

Tuesday 30 November 2010

The organisers of the AEGON Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall in London kindly agreed to allow UCARE to hold a fundraising evening at the event on Tuesday 30 November.

We had a dedicated room in the Royal Albert Hall where our guests enjoyed a champagne reception with canapés and hot bowl food and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks before making their way to their seats for en evening of tennis.

Gary Cosby's golf day

17th September 2010

After the success of the charity golf days and your continued support I have decided to run it again.

This year the event is to take place on the 17th September at the Three Locks Golf Club. This will include coffee and a bacon roll before starting and a family pig roast to finish all for the sum of £50.00 per person or £200.00 for a team of four.

Last years event was oversubscribed so please send in your completed forms with payment, cheques payable to G. Cosby, as soon as possible. It will be on a first come first served basis.

Thank you again for your support in raising money for such a worthwhile cause and I look forward to seeing you on the day.

Our thanks to everyone who has raised money for UCARE - we could not have done it without you.

Golf Day

10th September 2010

The UCARE Charity Golf Day will be held on the 10th September 2010 at Studley Wood Golf Course. Studley Wood, is a hidden gem in the midst of Oxfordshire's finest countryside and only 15 minutes drive from central Oxford.

There will be a shot gun start at around 10.00am although the club will be serving breakfast from 8.00am onwards.

This is the second year of the event following a very successful day in September 2009. You will know that to organise a great day which includes breakfast, your round of golf, a delicious meal, wine, prizes and an auction, does involve a substantial financial outlay - So, if you were able to support us, or sponsor part of the day the Trustees would be hugely grateful.

John O'Groats to Lands End Cycle Ride

21-29 August 2010

Jonathan, Sarah and Brian cycled over 900 miles in 9 days from John O'Groats, the most Northern point in Scotland to Land's End, the most south-westerly tip in England.

“Despite gale force winds, torrential rain, two broken gears, replacement brake blocks, a worn tyre and one puncture we made it from John O'Groats to Lands End! The mental pain, at times, was a lot tougher than the physical and we couldn't have done it without the amazing support from Malcolm and Peter, who kept us fed and watered throughout the 9 days and cheered us on, despite the horrific weather at times. Finally, but most importantly, a HUGE thank you to everyone who supported us by making a donation to UCARE. We are truly touched by your generosity and wonderful messages of support which really did help us keep pedalling!” Jonathan, Sarah and Brian

Find out more and support them at www.justgiving.com/Sarah-Jonathan

Charlbury Bowls Club

31 July 2010

With thanks to Charlbury Bowls Club who raised £800 for UCARE. All the bowlers seen here at President's Day & enjoying a days bolwing.

A fine send off

July 2010

Sandro Kaye and friends celebrated going to University and raising funds for UCARE by holding a gig in the Hagbourne Village Hall, where around 100 people attended. The band "Sheppards Pi" [named after an original member] have been together for three years and they are all at school together at St Birinus School in Didcot.

In the group photo from left to right the members are:

Sandro Kaye - Bass
Ian Buttler - Cornet
Ben Collins-Rice - Piano
Dom Callaghan - Drums
Mark Buttler - Trombone
Phil House - Saxaphone

Trains Everywhere and Rolls-Royce Cars

16th May 2010

On 16th May the Ladder Hill Railway Company hosted a picnic meeting for the Oxford Section of the Rolls-Royce enthusiasts' club in aid of UCARE.

The drivers and passengers of 14 Rolls-Royce cars toured two rooms displaying a of a life times' collection of trains and accessories by Bassett-Lowke. Outside 71/4" gauge Britannia Pacific 70014 Iron Duke was in steam giving rides and attracting much technical interest.

Thanks to the Club's generosity £290 was raised.

Walking the West Highland Way

May 2010

Colin, June and Beth at the end of the walk

Thank you to Colin, June & Beth Street, who walked the West Highland Way. This is a 95 mile footpath running from Glasgow to Fort William through the Scottish Highlands. A massive thank you to everyone who donated to bring their fundraising page to over £2,000!

Cycling to the Alps

23rd May 2010

To raise awareness and vital funds for the charity Ian Bragg decided to challenge himself - buy a bike and cycle from London to Chamonix in the French Alps!!

From Ian's blog:

"Hurrah! The team arrived in Chamonix at about tea time on Friday. Exhausted, elated and ready for a beer! The last day was the most challenging with a steep climb up, then a thrilling descent on switch back roads where Ian reached ~40mph at times on the roads down. This was followed by the steepest climb up they'd faced. The support car drivers Juzz and Alison commented that the cars were struggling on some of the hills! The last rendezvous before Cham' with the cars was at the top of the last and very worst climb!"

To read more at http://gobragg.com/

The GR20 Corsica 'Europe's top trail'

7th June - 21st June 2010

Map showing GR20 route through Corsica At around 110 miles in length and involving some 9700m of ascent, the Corsican high level long distance walk is regarded as amongst the toughest in the world.

Alan and Adrian:

"We are keen to experience adventure and prove to ourselves we can still do it!!! In the process of our mid-life [for Alan, well into mid-life!] crisis, we also want to raise funds for UCARE so please dig deep and support a worthy cause that touches the life of men [and also women] of our age!"

Thank you letter from Adrian (pdf file)

You can still donate at www.justgiving.com/Alan-HallGR20 and www.justgiving.com/Adrian-CareyGR20

Stand-in-Stones

18th June 2010

Derek Townsend and 4 musician friends formed a Rolling Stones tribute band and held a fundraising dance to raise funds for UCARE. The evening was a sell out and every one had such a fantastic night they have been asked to do it again - could this be the start of something big!?

Thanks to Dereks family and to everyone who helped with the organisation of the evening and to the people who donated raffle prizes.

Walkley Midnight Walk

12th & 13th June 2010

The Rotary Club of Swindon Thamesdown are organising their 20th Annual through the night sponsored walk along the Ridgeway. The walk will be starting at The Red Lion Public House, Avebury (SN8 1RF) taking in Hackpen Hill, Barbury Castle, Ogbourne Downs, Liddington Castle and finishing at the Bishopstone Village Hall (SN6 8PH).

The Rotary Club of Swindon Thamesdown organise the event completely free of charge to the participants. Along the route of the walk refreshment areas will be provided with free snacks and hot and cold drinks.

Those taking part are asked to gather at the, Bishopstone Village Hall, from 8.00 p.m. onwards, where parking has been arranged. At 9.30pm transport will be provided to the Red Lion at Avebury from which the walk will commence at 11.00pm.

At the finishing point in Bishopstone, The Royal Oak will be open to welcome all walkers with a hearty breakfast at a cost of £5.00.

A presentation night will take place on Friday 30th July 2010 at the Supermarine Club, Swindon (SN3 4BZ) with entertainment and where all cheques will be presented to the charities. The Rotary Club of Swindon Thamesdown will be pleased to welcome all walkers, their families and their chosen charity representatives at this event.

The 31st year of the Otmoor Challenge

Saturday 5th June 2010

The first Saturday in June is well established on the runners' calendar as "Otmoor Day" and they welcome runners from a wide area covering the South and Midlands - over 350 last year.

The variation of terrain has its own unique appeal and the 'challenge' is on. Walkers too enjoy the footpaths and bridleways of the area. Many entrants return year after year to take in the views and birdlife, much improved by the very active presence of the R.S.P.B.

As usual walkers may start any time between 9 a.m. and noon, choosing either the 13 mile or the 5 mile route. The Half Marathon Run will mass start at 2 p.m. and the Challenge cups and prizes are awarded to the winners in each category.

The first 350 runners home will each receive an Otmoor Challenge mug. Other runners and walkers who complete the full course will be awarded a tracksuit badge.

For more information and to raise funds for UCARE, visit www.otmoorchallenge.co.uk

London Marathon

25 April 2010

Well done to Tilden Lamb, Martin and Matthew Fowler for running in the London Marathon to raise funds for UCARE.

Gala Dinner - Bodleian Library

On Friday 23rd April, UCARE held a black tie gala dinner at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

The event started with a champagne reception followed by dinner, entertainment and a fundraising auction - we had some fantastic auction prizes - big and small.

Bath Half Marathon

Runners on a starting line On Sunday 7th March Andy Protheroe, David Cranston, Peter Cranston, Kevin Turner, Gemma Crane ran the Bath Half Marathon which is one of the longest established and most popular city centre road events in the UK.

Their completed times were:

Kevin 1.42;
Pete 1.57;
David 2.05;
Andy 2.13
Gemma 2.17

Well done guys! You can still support UCARE and visit their fundraising page

Swinford Toll Bridge

1st January 2010 collection - first fundraising of the New Year!!

Our thanks to Swinford Bridge for allowing UCARE to collect the toll money for the day; it was freezing day but our intrepid volunteers braved the conditions to collect nearly £1,000. Our thanks to you if you were one of the drivers and foot path users who made this possible.