Earlier this month, an Oxfordshire community networking event raised over £2000 in a raffle for local youth and family charities.
The Oxfordshire Business Dinner, hosted by Oxford Business Community Network, was held at St John’s College, Oxford. The annual event brings the business community together and celebrates networking across the county.
More than 70 people attended the dinner where they had the chance to network and enjoy a three-course meal. Guests were also treated to a speech on the Thunderbirds legacy, past, present and future by Jamie Anderson.
A raffle was held on the night which gave the winner the opportunity to donate all funds raised from ticket sales to a charity of their choice. Proceeds from the raffle ticket sales were match funded by Oxford Business Community Network, raising a total of £2,280.
The raffle winner Reuben Diffey, Managing Director of Property Formula, chose to split the donation between AT The Bus and Autism Family Support Oxfordshire.
AT The Bus supports the mental wellbeing and education of children and young people in school, using art as a form of therapy in Oxfordshire and London. His second choice, Autism Family Support Oxfordshire, supports children and young people with autism and their families.
The matched funding was donated to Young People’s Puppet Theatre, guest speaker Jamie Anderson’s charity of choice. Jamie is a producer, writer and director best known for his work on Doctor Who and for his efforts to keep his late father’s Thunderbirds legacy alive.
Raffle winner Reuben Diffey said: “Property Formula is committed to supporting the local community and has been a proud sponsor of both AT The Bus and Autism Family Support Oxfordshire for many years.
“The hugely generous donation from Oxford Business Community Network will help both charities continue their efforts to help young people and families locally.
“I was very pleased to be able to pick the recipients for the donation. They are both fantastic causes and thoroughly deserve the support.”
Mike Foster, Director of Oxford Business Community Network said: “As part of the annual Oxfordshire Business Dinner we hold a raffle with a difference, where the winning ticket holder names their chosen charity to benefit from the funds raised.
“Reuben was a generous donor on the night, and we were delighted to see one of his tickets drawn.”
He added: “Reuben’s passion for the two charities highlights the excellent work they do for the people of Oxfordshire”.
