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Virtual business bingo raises £522 for Helen & Douglas House
16/04/2021
Eyes down as Business Buzz members gather on line to raise vital funds for children’s hospice
A Wednesday evening session of virtual bingo saw business leaders, friends and families come together to raise an impressive £522 for Helen & Douglas House children’s hospice.
The fundraiser was organised by the informal, fuss-free networking group Business Buzz was free to attend. 36 players were encouraged to make a minimum donation of £8 each but surpassed this to raise a total of £522 for the children’s hospice.
Although the 90-ball traditional bingo game has been popular in the UK since the First World War, it was previously primarily played for fun or fundraising. For Hospices, as much as 85% of their income to cover running costs comes from donations. Many of them were operating at a deficit even before the pandemic.
Helen & Douglas House helps local families cope with the challenges of looking after a terminally ill baby or child who will die prematurely.
Alison Hooker, Helen & Douglas House, said: “Fundraising is crucial to the continued survival of a charity. A virtual bingo night is a fun way to bring people together safely whilst helping us continue our essential work. We are grateful to Business Buzz and all the players and donators for supporting us to make this event happen.”
The players met using Business Buzz’s innovative online platform, in a relaxed, pub-like setting. Players sat at the bar, in tables of six or lounged on virtual sofas to chat whilst the numbers were called and verified electronically.
Lisa-Marie Mallier, Regional Lead for Business Buzz Oxfordshire, said: “We’re all missing our networking and social events, so this was a great opportunity to bring people together from the comfort of their own homes. We believe we can achieve great things in business and for our local community by working together.”
Those who were unable to attend but who would like to contribute to the fundraiser can still donate via JustGiving.
The networking group’s next charity fundraiser will begin on May 17 and will see its team of Charity Ambassadors and friends walk 95 miles, which is the distance from each of its eight face-to-face meeting venues in Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Chipping Norton, Oxford, Thame, Wallingford, and Witney.
For more information or to sponsor a Buzz charity event, call Lisa on 07789 002149 or email oxfordshire@business-buzz.org.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam