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Shaw Gibbs extend support for Headway and SpecialEffect Shaw Gibbs have recently selected two amazing local charities to support over the next two years: Headway Oxfordshire, who support people affected by brain injury, and SpecialEffect, who help physically disabled people gain access to games and technology. Written by: Tom Donegan
Headway Oxfordshire were voted-in by staff due to the work they have been doing with Shaw Gibbs Junior Accountant, Amy Gordon, who was admitted to hospital with an ear infection which spread to her brain. After several neardeath experiences, Amy was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery but has been left with the lasting effects of damage to both her brain and ear. Amy says: “I was diagnosed with a brain infection in January last year and it very nearly killed me. Since I came out of hospital in February 2019, I have been supported by Headway and they have helped me get as much of my pre braininjury life back as possible. I am running the London Marathon to thank Headway for their continued support and raise as much money as possible so they can support even more brain injury survivors.” SpecialEffect have a long-standing relationship with Shaw Gibbs, thanks to their ongoing involvement in the Twin Town Challenge. The charity ‘banger car’ rally, which is organised by Oxfordshire businessman Brendon Cross and counts many B4 members amongst its participants, has raised an incredible £800,000+ for SpecialEffect since it was established in 2014. Twin Town 2020 was due to take place this 70
May but has now been postponed until 2021 due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Themed ‘Battle of the Bands’ the event will see 100+ teams driving over to France, including the Shaw Gibbs Directors driving an Elton John ‘Rocket Man’ car! Shaw Gibbs are also sponsoring of the return event at Blenheim as well as the fundraising totals. Sarah Gardener, Partner and Head of Outsourcing for Shaw Gibbs comments “It was important for us to support two charities who have complementary offerings. Collaboration is one of our values and we find that the best fundraising we have done in the past is when we can work in partnership with charities who become ingrained in our culture. It is a shame that so many charities will be affected by the COVID pandemic and some of the traditional methods of fundraising have been delayed or cancelled. With this in mind, we have decided to support SpecialEffect and Headway Oxfordshire for the next two years rather than one” The COVID-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on both charities, which have been required to move quickly to adapt their services in light of the current restrictions on movement and social contact. Many major fundraising events and activities have also been cancelled or postponed. However, once social-
distancing measures have been relaxed, Shaw Gibbs hope to have sponsored runners taking part in the Oxford Half Marathon in the Autumn and are also planning a fundraising event in Summertown. In the meantime, the accountants are putting their heads together to come up with ideas for some ‘virtual’ alternatives, including an online pub quiz, as they aim to raise a record amount for the two organisations. For more information about SpecialEffect and Headway, see the links below:
www.headway.org.uk
info@specialeffect.org.uk 01608 810 055 www.specialeffect.org.uk
WWW.B4-BUSINESS.COM
