Lift off for B4 festive fundraising extravaganza ‘Raise’24’!

Lift off for B4 festive fundraising extravaganza ‘Raise’24’!

B4 launches Raise’24, uniting Oxfordshire’s leading businesses and charities for social impact. This brand new annual fundraising event will bring together teams from across Oxfordshire businesses for a very different Christmas celebration.

On 13th December 2024, 75 teams will go head to head in the stunning surroundings of Keble College, Oxford, competing to raise the most donations on the day for 11 amazing charities working in Oxfordshire.  Whether it be reaching out to business contacts and suppliers, sponsored events or organising office bake sales, teams will be tasked to raise at least £2,000 each, with half of this being pledged on the day itself. Conceived by B4, the business networking group, this unique event will bring together businesses and organisations from across the county for a Christmas event like no other!

This festive fundraiser is the perfect alternative to your office Christmas party. You can enter as you can enter as an individual, or create a team with people from one or multiple organisations. It promises to be a glorious, colour-filled festive spectacle starting with breakfast in the Great Hall of Keble College, followed by surprise Christmas-themed entertainment and fancy dress to get teams in the mood to hit the phones and laptops and get their donations in. 

Following team awards and the all-important announcement of the grand total, there will be a sumptuous three-course Christmas lunch back in the Great Hall to wrap up this uplifting event.

B4’s CEO, Richard Rosser explains more. “B4 runs lots of events that stimulate collaboration, but this event will provide us all with a fantastic chance to work together and support others at a critical time. This is a great opportunity to unite for a collection of great causes all at the same time, something we believe hasn’t been done before and which we hope to continue as an annual event.”

The final total raised at the Raise’24 event will be shared between 11 amazing charities, all working in Oxfordshire to improve people’s lives and help them to thrive.  These charities include Homeless Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire Community Foundation, Oxfordshire Youth, Plunkett UK, Sobell House Hospice, Be Free Young Carers, Connection Support, DEBRA UK, Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, and Pancreatic Cancer UK. Between them they support people of many ages and backgrounds to have better lives, from cradle to grave. 

Here’s what some of our charity partners had to say about Raise’24, starting with Kate Parrinder, Head of Development at Oxfordshire Community Foundation: “Raise’24 is an amazing opportunity for a more meaningful Christmas celebration, where achieving amazing social impact goes hand in hand with a generous sprinkling of festive fun and friendly rivalry!”

Nikki Gracey, Relationship Fundraising Manager at Sobell House Hospice Charity added: “By supporting Raise’24 you are not only supporting Sobell House but 10 other amazing charities. Together we can achieve so much more.”

Emmy O’Shaughnessy, Director of Innovation and Growth and Deputy CEO of Oxfordshire Youth shares: “With 1 in 6 children growing up in poverty in Oxfordshire, the social justice sector urgently needs more awareness and resources to ensure that opportunities to achieve potential belong to all. Being part of Raise’24 is about community power, kindness, and a shared vision for a more equitable Oxfordshire. We are here for it and can’t wait to make something beautiful and life-changing happen, together.”

Gemma Sills, Engagement Manager at Plunkett UK commented: “I’m delighted that Plunkett UK is among the beneficiary charities for Raise’24. We are uniting as Oxfordshire-based charities to inspire local businesses – and together we can achieve incredible social impact for people and communities in need.”

Tim Wraith, Partnerships Fundraising Manager at Homeless Oxfordshire said: ‘Homeless Oxfordshire is delighted to be part of Raise’24. Not only will it raise vital funds for our work, but it also raises awareness for what we do and why we are needed throughout Oxfordshire. It’s brilliant!’

Isabel Zedda, Philanthropy Officer, Philanthropy and Partnerships at Pancreatic Cancer UK added: “We are thrilled to have been chosen as a charity partner for Raise’24, which is a brilliant fundraising initiative based in Oxford. Your generosity will enable us to drive forward more breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer research. Thank you so much for your support!”

Hannah Waugh, Fundraising Co-Ordinator at Be Free young Carers commented: “We are grateful for everyone’s support as a chosen charity for Raise’24. Through Be Free Young Carers part of the funds raised through Raise’24 will go towards supporting young carers across Oxfordshire.”

Lauren Kendall, CEO of Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre said: “Thank you to everyone who is or is going to support Raise24! This innovative funding will support so many brilliant local charities; we are incredibly grateful to be part of it.”

And finally, Catherine Whitmarsh, Head of Fundraising at Connection Support added: “Raise ‘24 is a unique opportunity to come together and make a positive difference to people across Oxfordshire. Together we can achieve so much more.”

So why not join Global CTS, Charles Stanley, Delti, Wellers, Mills & Reeve, Wise Investment, Hedges, NX, The Randolph Hotel, Studio 8, Frilford Heath Golf Club, Keble College, You Consultancy and many more by supporting Raise’24 and have a more impactful Christmas party this year. 

Find out more about how you and your organisation can participate in Raise’24 by going to www.raise4charity.co.uk

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Notes for editors

About Raise’24

The format for the day

We’ll begin the day with breakfast at 9am in the Great Hall, Keble College, followed by a motivational speech at 9.30am to get teams in the mood to hit the phones and laptops until 12pm to get their donations in, most of which should have been pre-pledged before the event. During the fundraising we’ve got lots of entertainment planned, and with everyone in Christmas themed outfits, it promises to be a glorious, colour-filled festive spectacle!

Before the Awards are handed out and the final grand total is announced, everyone will enjoy a pre-lunch drink in the college bar at 12pm before sitting down to a sumptuous three course Christmas lunch back in the Great Hall at 12.45pm. The event is scheduled to end around 3pm. 

300 people, 75 teams

A maximum of 75 teams each made up of four individuals will pledge to raise at least £500 per person, so £2,000 per team or a massive £150,000 in total. Up to 50% of the target can be fundraised during the year through other activities, but the pledges on the day must hit at least £1,000 per team. 

This could be the perfect alternative to your office Christmas party, or you can enter as an individual, or create a team with people from multiple organisations.

Funds raised

The final total will be split six ways, with each of our Gold charities receiving 1/6th of the final amount raised, and the six Silver charities sharing the final 1/6th. 

Funds raised will be held by Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) in a dedicated B4 RAISE Fund, which will allow Gift Aid to be added where relevant. OCF will then distribute funds to the beneficiary charities as grants in 2025. 

Get involved now!

ANY business can submit a team. 

Please see more information at  Support us (raise4charity.co.uk) about team entry, making a donation and sponsorship packages. For all other enquiries please contact our fantastic Events Manager, Tina at tina@b4-business.com. 

About B4

Who are we? B4 is a community of over 200 businesses and 500 individuals who connect at live and online events, share their expertise with each other and build great collaborative relationships. 

Who are our members? B4 is sector agnostic meaning anyone can be a B4 member no matter what size of business, what stage your business might be in its life or what your business does.

What do we offer? We run over 60 in person events providing our members with a wide range or social and learning & development opportunities for business leaders and their teams.

How do I get involved? If you’re passionate about working with others, about sharing ideas with your peers, building a more sustainable and meaningful business for yourself and others, growing your business as you build trust and you want to be part of a community of like-minded people, then please get in touch to find out more about B4 and joining us as our guest for a future event to see if we’re right for you.

Contact

For media enquiries, including interview requests and photos and more about B4, please contact:

Richard Rosser, Chief Executive, B4 National Ltd

richard@b4-business.com                        07774 257061                  www.b4-business.com