Play centre’s boost from accountancy firm

THOMLEY Activity Centre near Thame, which specialises in providing play and activities for young people with special needs, received a huge boost this week when an Oxford Accountancy firm made a very generous donation.

Hannah Cartlidge of Shaw Gibbs (second left) with Harriet Hieatt-Smith of Thomley Activity Centre. The children are Sophie (10, from the Communication & Interaction Service Base in Chinnor, visiting with friend Harvey (8)

Oxford accountants, Shaw Gibbs, had made the centre its Charity of the Year 2013, and the money was raised by the employees in a variety of activities including bake sales and prize draws, auctions for the office reception flowers each Friday and quarterly ‘dress down Fridays.’

The whole firm was involved in one way or another over the course of the year. One donation of £200 came from a refund at a restaurant, which the Shaw Gibbs employees chose to donate to Thomley Activity Centre. Staff also organised a boxing night by showing old boxing matches on TV and charging for entry. At Christmas they donated to the charity instead of buying Christmas cards to give to each other.

Hannah Cartlidge, Facilities Manager at Shaw Gibbs, coordinated the fundraising efforts. She presented Harriet Hieatt-Smith of Thomley Activity Centre with a cheque for £3,892.81 at the Centre on Friday, (July 11). Accepting the cheque, Harriet said:  “It has meant a great deal to Thomley to have been chosen as Shaw Gibbs’ charity of the year. Having been our accountants, Shaw Gibbs know how careful we are to spend donors’ money wisely, ensuring we provide the best possible service for our beneficiaries whilst keeping our costs manageable and sustainable.

“We are grateful to the staff at Shaw Gibbs for all their hard work to raise this fantastic amount, helping us to support the thousands of disabled young people and families that visit our centre each year.”

Hannah Cartlidge of Shaw Gibbs added: “Thomley Activity Centre is a very welcoming, accommodating facility which provides activities for young disabled people within a completely safe environment, as well as providing much-needed support for their parents and carers.

“The main focus of the charity is to instill confidence, teach life skills and encourage a feeling of inclusion, for young people of all ages and all needs.”