Andrew's hospital fundraiser hits £20,000 target (From Herald Series)

Andrew's hospital fundraiser hits £20,000 target

2:35pm Tuesday 7th July 2009

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HUNDREDS of footballers came together to help a young fundraiser break his target of collecting £20,000 for Oxford’s children’s hospital.

The third Play2Give six-a-side tournament took place at Court Place Farm, in Marsh Lane, Oxford, on Sunday and helped Andrew Baker reach his goal of raising £20,000 for the hospital that once treated him.

The 21-year-old, from Didcot, pledged to raise funds for the children’s hospital appeal after he was treated at the former Radcliffe Infirmary for a life-threatening brain tumour in 2001.

Mr Baker, who was given the all-clear three years ago, had already collected £18,000 – starting with a non-uniform day at St Birinus School in Didcot, which raised £1,000.

Other events linked with his school, including 1960s, 1970s and 1980s theme days, culminated in 2006 when all the pupils took part in a 40-mile sponsored walk, raising £6,000.

Sunday’s football tournament, which featured 29 teams, netted £3,000.

Mr Baker said: “It was a really fantastic day.

“We’ve counted up the money and, with more sponsorship still to come, hopefully it looks like we have raised £3,000 which will break my target of £20,000.

“After the years of hard work it’s amazing to now raise that amount, and the football was a great success, which is something extra to celebrate.”

The tournament was won by the All Stars team, with Riverside coming second.

Pembroke Chefs, a team of catering staff at Pembroke College, raised the most money, eclipsing their initial target of £500 by securing £1,143.

The tournament is to become an annual fundraiser for the hospital and other charities.

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