********* NEWSFLASH!***********

With only a few more donations to come in, the total at present is £14,478.60! This includes £625.71 from Tim Finch's coffee morning and the collection at Sainsbury's of £1,183. I would like to thank everyone for their incredibly generous response. 

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About 36 years ago I perched on a high stool outside the wool shop in Cookham, with my Oxfam collecting tin.  At the end of the weekend, with sponsorship added to the collection, I had raised the princely sum of £313.13, which was quite a respectable total in those days. 

I remember thinking, ‘I must do it again next year’ but I don't think I
ever imagined that I would still be doggedly refusing to stop all  these years later!

There has been major progress in the fight against poverty.More people are surviving disasters. More girls are getting an education. And more families have clean water than ever before. You can see the problem. The money we raise together supports such large numbers of people who are living in desperate situations, that I just can’t stop… and no one at the moment has offered to take over from me. Funny that.

The range of Oxfam's activities in 90 countries is extraordinary.  Apart from the extensive water and sanitation projects in areas of natural disasters, often with cash-for-work schemes, Oxfam is expert in supporting local people to set up their own small businesses in order to become independent.  It campaigns for those suffering from discrimination, threats to our planet through climate change and  the Covid vaccine equality for the worlds's poorest countries.. 

Now Coronavirus is affecting the same people who are living
through conflict, disaster and poverty.  Oxfam's humanitarian staff are
working hard to stop the spread.  Oxfam is providing vital support like
equipment to healthcare facilities and hospitals that are urgently in need. And as ever, they are helping people who are losing income or at greater risk of domestic abuse because of restrictions on movement. Supporting the world's poorest communities is more important than ever right now.You can donate online here at:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barbara-walmsley5 

This year has been a very hard one for me personally and for Oxfam.The death of my dear husband Charles, the pandemic and the fact that the government has savagely cut the overseas aid budget has made organising the 2021 fast and the annual Cookham Coffee morning very daunting. One of my favourite sayings is " When the going gets tough the tough get going" and I still get up every morning and remind myself that we can all make a difference for those who, more than ever before, need our compassion and the basic necessities of life. It is quite simply a matter of justice.

I shall be at Sainsburys in Maidenhead collecting for 30 hours over Friday 16th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of October 2021 with my trusty cardboard friend who will "fast" on my behalf.

Please think kindly of this ageing 84 year old who is still tough, passionate and ambitious!

I never cease to be amazed by your loyalty and generosity over the years.

Your support has been amazing but, tragically and through no fault of their own, innocent people are still suffering.But together we can continue to make a difference.

 With my very warm wishes,

Barbara Walmsley