Didcot charity funds refurbishment to create more comforting spaces for patients and families
Didcot charity Play2Give has celebrated donating more than £10,000 to Sobell House Hospice by helping transform two bathrooms on the hospice’s inpatient unit.
The milestone was marked during a celebration at the hospice on Thursday (9 July), attended by the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Chewe Munkonge, recognising the charity’s ongoing commitment to supporting end-of-life care across Oxfordshire.
Play2Give has been fundraising for Sobell House over the past five years in memory of Angela Norris, who received palliative care from the hospice’s community nursing team before her death in November 2020. Angela was the mother of Play2Give Vice-Chair of Trustees Matthew Norris and a close friend of the charity’s founder, Andrew Baker MBE.
The latest donation has funded improvements to two patient bathrooms on the inpatient unit, creating more welcoming and comfortable spaces for patients and their families. The refurbishment includes hand-painted artistic murals by Sarah Jarman from the Sobell House Hospice Charity team.
Andrew Baker MBE, founder of Play2Give, said the project reflected the charity’s desire to give something meaningful back to a service that had supported people close to the organisation.
He said: “Sobell House means so much to me and to many of my team because we’ve experienced its care and compassion first-hand while supporting loved ones.
“Reaching the £10,000 milestone is something we’re incredibly proud of, but knowing we’ve been able to fund improvements that will bring comfort, dignity and even moments of joy to patients and their families makes it even more meaningful.
“This donation is made in memory of Angela and every other family who has been touched by Sobell House. It’s a reminder that, by coming together as a community, we can turn grief into something positive that will make a lasting difference for others.”
Amelia Foster, Chief Executive of Sobell House Hospice, thanked Play2Give and its supporters for their continued commitment.
She said: “Play2Give’s incredible support is helping us do so much more than maintain our buildings – it’s helping us create spaces that offer comfort, dignity and a sense of calm for patients and their families at one of the most important times in their lives.
“We are so grateful for their continued commitment, and these beautiful new bathrooms are a lasting reminder of what community fundraising can achieve.”
The refurbishment forms part of Sobell House’s ongoing programme to ensure its hospice environment reflects the compassionate care provided to patients and their loved ones.
Founded by Didcot’s Andrew Baker in 2007, Play2Give has raised more than £600,000 for healthcare and community causes across Oxfordshire. The charity supports projects including Oxford Children’s Hospital, Oxford Head Injury Services and Sobell House Hospice, while also running its annual Sleigh2Give campaign, which provides Christmas gifts, Easter eggs and toys to patients and vulnerable families.
Play2Give is due to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027.
