Charitable arm of private members club raises record £37,500 in year

MEMBERS of a club in Henley raised a record £37,474 for charity last year.

The Charity at Phyllis Court Club will split the money between the Chiltern Centre, for disabled young adults in Henley, and My Cancer My Choices, which offers free therapies to people with cancer.

Each received £18,737 and cheques were handed over at the group’s annual meeting last Friday.

Patricia Christmas, who chairs the group, said: “To pick our local charities, each year, it’s such a difficult decision. They’re all so worthy of having our support, and it does bring tears to your eyes sometimes.

“To raise £37,474 is amazing — it is a record for us here — and every single pound will go to them.”

The money was raised through the staging of events, including a Burns’ night celebration, a Christmas Fair and a quiz night. Collections also took place during Henley Royal Regatta, which alone raised more than £9,000.

Ms Christmas said: “The committee work so hard, really hard, for all of us, all throughout the year.”

Addressing the meeting, Mayor Tom Buckley said: “Phyllis Court Club is a wonderful institution that runs itself really well. The amount of money that your charity has raised is exceptional.

“The Chiltern Centre is one of my chosen charities for this year and I know how much the charities really need you guys to work together for the money. On behalf of the town, I would like to thank you for doing this work.”

Claire Rhodes, chief executive of My Cancer My Choices, said: “I would like to thank the whole team who have made this year so much fun. We have really enjoyed coming along to all of the different events throughout the year and meeting so many of the members.

“It will make an incredible difference to so many people across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire who are living with cancer at the moment. It will enable us to provide them with more complementary therapies to help with their treatment.”

David Ebsworth, a volunteer ambassador and service user for the charity, said: “I’ve got cancer on palliative care, so there’s no chance for me. This money will enable people like me that can’t afford to have the therapies to come and have the therapies free of charge, which is what our charity offers. It will make such a difference to people’s lives.”

Gareth Groves, the director of services at the Chiltern Centre, said: “To spend four or five days at the Royal Regatta was amazing. The charity group is absolutely fantastic to work with.”

The group has chosen Daisy’s Dream, which supports children and young people who have been affected by bereavement, and Berkshire MS Therapy Centre, which provides support for people with Multiple Sclerosis, as their charities for this year.