Traders mark charity's '30’ (From Witney Gazette)

Traders mark charity's '30’

9:00am Wednesday 6th September 2006 in Witney By Samantha Simpson

A GLITTERING ball is being organised by Witney's business community to mark the 30th anniversary of Oxford's Sobell House Hospice.

The Oyster Ball - so named to signify the hospice's pearl anniversary - is taking place at Kingston Bagpuize House, near Abingdon, on Saturday, September 30.

It will include a champagne reception, four-course meal, live music, and an auction in aid of the charity, with prizes including a week-long holiday to Indonesia.

The ball is being presented by the Witney Big Breakfast Club, whose members include several business owners and managers from the Witney area.

The club said it wanted to support Sir Michael Sobell House, based at the Churchill Hospital, in Headington, because it was such a worthy cause.

Every year the hospice cares for about 400 terminally-ill patients, and also runs a service providing equipment, volunteers, and nurses to look after people in their own homes.

Tickets costing £75 are still available for the event, and Sobell House Hospice Charity, which fundraises for the hospice, has appealed for supporters to go along. Tables seat ten people.

Richard Berry, the charity's chief executive, said the event would be the highlight of the hospice's 30th anniversary year celebrations.

He said: "Not only is it a chance to celebrate and remember the work of Sobell over the past 30 years, but it is also a chance for local businesses and individuals to learn more about both the hospice and the charity, and the work they each carry out. It promises to be a wonderful and memorable evening, which will, above all else, act as a tribute to Sobell for its work."

The hospice charity suffered a major blow in June, when arsonists set fire to a bag of donated clothing outside its shop in Langdale Court, Witney. The shop was gutted by the blaze, and, along with neighbouring gift shop Figments, still remains sealed off, while work is carried out to restore the buildings.

The charity hopes to move back into the shop by Christmas, but in the meantime has been given use of the former Unwins off-licence premises, in Corn Street, Witney, rent-free by Witney Town Charities.

* Anyone interested in attending the Oyster Ball can call Witney Big Breakfast Club, on 01993 700718.