Three local firms hosted the Oxford Charities Auction in September in the magnificent hall of University College, raising over a stunning £80,000 for three local Oxford charities - Emmaus Oxford, Helen & Douglas House and The Mulberry Bush School.
Carter Jonas, Critchleys and Morgan Cole joined forces to help raise funds for their three chosen charities through a 'money can't buy' auction with lots including a stay at the Usulaba Resort, South Africa donated by Sir Richard Branson, an invitation to the Jonathan Ross Show and Green Room after-party and a lunch for two in the House of Commons with Boris Johnson.
Putting the lots under the hammer was renowned auctioneer and expert on BBC TV's 'Flog It!' Charlie Ross. Charlie has his own auction house in Woburn and is much in demand at charity auctions, which he conducts throughout the world. Just prior to the demolition of Wembley Stadium in 2000 Charlie conducted a two hour live on-screen auction of Wembley memorabilia for Sky TV.
John Cole, Partner of Morgan Cole, says, "Having worked together for clients in the region for many years, Morgan Cole, Carter Jonas and Critchleys are delighted that our joint efforts have helped to create such a successful evening for Emmaus Oxford, Helen & Douglas House and The Mulberry Bush School. But of course, key to that was success was the wonderful generosity of our audience!"
Vanessa Fay, Corporate Fundraising Manager for Helen & Douglas House says, "The three firms have worked so hard to bring the auction together and we just can't thank them enough. The proceeds we receive could help us in a number of ways, for example they would more than cover the salary of a member of our Care Team to help us continue offering the one-to-one care that is so crucial to the children and young adults who stay with us."
John Diamond, Chief Executive Officer of The Mulberry Bush School says, "It is wonderful that such trouble has been taken by Carter Jonas, Critchleys and Morgan Cole to arrange such a successful evening. We are delighted to receive over �25,000 which will help us to complete our individual therapy rooms."
William Alden, Chairman of the Trustees of Emmaus Oxford says, "It was a wonderful night with fantastic organisation by all three firms involved to whom we are extremely grateful. The generosity of the donors of the auction lots and the bidders on the night was amazing. The proceeds will help in our aim to build a self-sustaining community for 24 homeless people in Oxford providing accommodation and employment."
ENDS
Morgan Cole
Morgan Cole is a UK law firm providing high quality legal services and commercially focused advice from offices in Thames Valley, London and South Wales. To find out more visit www.morgancole.com
Carter Jonas
Carter is a national firm of Chartered Surveyors and Planning Consultants based locally at Anchor House, 269 Banbury Road, Oxford with 18 offices across England and Wales.
The firm offers the full range of property advice and agency including, rural asset management, commercial, planning and development, building consultancy, minerals and waste management and residential sales and lettings.
The residential team in Oxford sell a wide range of homes in and around Oxford, ranging from city centre apartments to large country houses. More information about the firm and its activities can be found on our website www.carterjonas.co.uk
Critchleys
Critchleys is one of the largest firms of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in the Thames Valley. It ranks among the Top 60 accountancy firms in the UK and works in partnership with businesses and individuals to help them achieve their objectives. To find out more visit www.critchleys.co.uk
Mulberry Bush School
The Mulberry Bush School accommodates up 36 children aged 5-12 from all over England and provides therapeutic treatment through care and education for some of the most emotionally stressed children in our society.
The children who are referred to the school have been labeled from an early age as uncontrollable or ineducable. They are, in fact, suffering from severe emotional distress caused by violence, bereavement, inadequate care, emotional, sexual or physical abuse.
The work of the School is to understand the distress causing these behavioural problems and to redress the balance.
Despite being a national resource, the school receives no central government funding. Local authorities pay fees which cover the basic cost of care and education. However, these do not allow for any capital development, extension of therapeutic care, or any of the extra curricular activities which other children take for granted.
To find out more about The Mulberry Bush School, please call Jane Smiley on 01608 813099 or visit www.mulberrybush.oxon.sch.uk
Emmaus Oxford
Emmaus Oxford wishes to transform the lives of the homeless in Oxford. We plan to build a facility that will give a new start to one of the most disadvantaged groups in society today - the long term and unemployed homeless - through the establishment of a working self-supporting Community in Oxford.
The Emmaus Oxford Community will provide individual living accommodation, skills development, employment training and employment for 24 homeless people.
To find out more about Emmaus Oxford, call 01865 402073 or visit www.emmausoxford.org
