ABBA Tribute Night

Nearly 200 people boogied the night away to sounds from the ‘70s whilst helping to raise nearly £500 for the Appeal.

The evening saw one of the UK’s premiere tribute bands, ABBA’s Angels performing all of their best known songs in two sets at the Rosebowl in West End.

Thanks to all who attended and made a really enjoyable evening.

Peak Performance

Around 50 people donned their hiking boots to raise both funds and awareness for the Appeal by climbing England and Wales’ highest peak, Mount Snowdon.

It is hoped that the climb will have raised an astonishing £8000 to help the Trust continue to provide support, treatment and research into childhood cancer care in local hospitals and in the community.

Event organiser, Katie Deadman said, ‘It’s been tough organising this event.  The sense of achievement reaching the top and knowing that all of the hard work and effort put in by everyone involved will help so many poorly children has made it all worthwhile.’

The event was sponsored by Awimaway.com and the walk led by the CEO and world record holder Harish Kohli.  He has led two record-breaking expeditions: the 1980 Trans-Himalaya – 8,000km in 475 days – and 1995's Ski-Himalaya, a 2,000km traverse. Awimaway offers intelligent, sustainable and high-quality adventure, activity and experiential holidays that provide  truly memorable experiences.

Lin Barringer, Sophie’s mum and one of the ground support said, “Times are tough at the moment and it means a lot that people from all different backgrounds gave up their time, and others their money, to help.  It has been a fantastic weekend.  In addition to raising money people have made new friends, had a great time and there has been a wonderful sense of camaraderie.”

Corporate sponsors include Chloride Power who agreed to match fund one of their employees, Verity Fricker and the BAA Communities Trust who have match funded the 12 hikers from Southampton Airport.  Verity was the top fundraiser with over £600 of individual sponsorship.

Sophie’s Appeal would like to thank everyone who supported the event through sponsorship and particularly to all of those who gave up their weekend to join us in the climb.

For local press coverage, click here

Football Marathon Event for Sophie?s Appeal

A 12 hour, five-a-side football marathon was held recently at Crestwood Community College to raise much needed funds for Sophie’s Appeal. The event was organised by Sean Toomer with help of friends and Tim Lyons & Co Chartered Accountants and raised nearly £1500.00

The match featured members of Eastleigh Working Men’s Football Club and the team at Tim Lyons & Co including Sean Toomer, Ashley James, Andrew Jones and Tim Lyons with rolling substitutions permitted throughout.

Almost 600 goals were scored with the final score at 395-187 to the whites and prizes were awarded as follows:
1. Top Goal Scorer with 95 goals : John Golding
2 .Man of the Match : Ben Hogbin
3. Endurance Award : Lloyd Chalkley
4. Idiot of the Match : Graham Toomer

Sean Toomer, event organiser said, ‘I didn’t realize how much work goes into organizing fund raising events, but we all had a fantastic day and it was great fun! Knowing that the money raised through all our hard work will be well spent on helping all those poorly children has made it all worthwhile and the sense of achievement is phenomenal. I would like to thank Rae & Roy Gouldthorpe, Leanne Brown, Tony Mullen, Ashley James, Lloyd Chalkley and Sam Gowman for their extra hard work which helped make the day a success. In particular, special thanks to the players – 12 hours is tough!’

Sainsbury's Eastleigh Cycle for Sophie

A group of 30 staff pedalled away over 3 days burning a staggering 14000 calories recently in an effort to raise funds for Sophie’s Appeal.

The Eastleigh store has recently adopted Sophie’s Appeal as its Charity of the Year and this first fundraising event raised nearly £1300 thanks to the generosity of the customers and the toil of the staff.

Keep an eye out in store for future events.  Why not bring the children down and decorate a Gingerbread Man at the next event later in August.

Sophie?s Appeal Football Tournament

The fourth annual six-a-side tournament was held at Crestwood College, Eastleigh on the 4th July with 192 players from 24 teams taking part.  The event was organised by Cherbourg F.C. and raised nearly £1200.00.

Winners of the adult section were Fuzz Buzz with Team Sparta finishing as runners up.  Compton Youth claimed the 10 – 12 title while Crestwood Legends lifted the trophy in the 13-14 section.

James Beattie, patron of the Sophie Barringer Trust, presented the medals and trophies to the delight of the children and adults alike.

Thanks to Crestwood College for the use of the facilities, S & D’s Trevor Harper and Chris Bryant for help with the pitches and to Acne Massive and Compton Youth for their generous donations.  Our sincerest thanks also go to Ed, Penny, Carole and Melvin for organising a great event.

Yateley Manor School Raises over £3000.00

Sophie’s Appeal is proud to have been chosen as Yateley Manor’s charity of the year this year.  At a recent presentation, Donna Shave spoke to the school to tell them about the Trust’s inspiration, Sophie and tell them a little more about the work of the trust.

Our sincerest thanks and appreciation to the pupils, parents, teachers and everyone else who worked so hard to raise this magnificent sum.

Sophie?s Appeal Charity Summer Ball

The sixth Annual Summer Ball was held at the Rose Bowl, home of Hampshire Cricket.  The evening helped to raise nearly £10,000 and was enjoyed by 250 guests.

Following a Pimms Reception, guests enjoyed games, a buffet meal, casinos and dancing ‘till 1am.

The guest speaker was Professor Kathy Pritchard-Jones, team leader of the Childhood Cancer Biology Team at The Royal Marsden Hospital.  Kathy was able explain how the money donated by the trust is used to help understand how Wilms disease develops and ultimately to find a cure.

Sainsbury?s Chooses Sophie?s Appeal

Following a recent presentation to staff members at Sainsbury’s Eastleigh, Sophie’s Appeal is delighted to announce that we have been chosen as their local Charity partner for this year.

Please look out for fundraising initiatives in the Eastleigh store.

Gala Concert at Itchen College

Concert goers enjoyed an evening of singing featuring singers including established performers Gareth Jones and Barry Clark who have both played principal roles in the Phantom of the Opera, with Barry Clark on the original cast recording with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman.

Songs from London’s West End stage provided the evening of classic entertainment at a Gala Concert arranged by Nick Short.

The evening raised over £350 and our grateful thanks go to Nick, his singers and to Itchen College for supporting the Appeal.

A Night for Joy

Donna Stroud was inspired to organise a fundraising evening on behalf of the Trust in memory of her mum, Joy who died two years ago from Cancer.

The music packed evening held at Roddington Forge, featured music from Dodger, Chalky Gravell, TZEE and African Roots and Sue, Paul and Pete from The Jelly Rollers.  The evening was a tremendous success and raised over £1200.00.

B&Q 10km Road Race

Nearly £350.00 was raised by two supporters of the appeal in this year’s B&Q road race.

Huge thanks to Ben Laney and James Duthie donned their running shoes to complete the race in around 50 minutes and raise much needed funds for the Trust.  Thanks guys!!!

Green Park Challenge

Our thanks and congratulation to Nathan Ennis for raising funds for Sophie’s Appeal whilst running in the Reading Half Marathons junior event, The Green Park Challenge.

The event is almost three km and is only open to those under 11.  Nathan completed the event and raised over £200 for the Appeal.

Fleet Half Marathon

Donna Shave, chair of the Sophie Barringer Trust stretched her legs in preparation for the London Marathon by taking part in the Fleet Half Marathon whilst raising funds for the Appeal.

Black and White Ball

Huge thanks go to Caroline, Dianne and Kerry for organising an evening of entertainment at the Empire Hall in Totton.

Around 300 guests attended the fundraising evening which included music from ‘Monster Rock’, a raffle and an auction.

A cheque for nearly £3000.00 was donated by the organisers at a presentation event at the headquarters of The Wessex Cancer Trust in Southampton.

Quiz Night Raises Over £800

The Sophie’s Appeal annual quiz, held at Fleming Park Bowling Club in March was a great success once again raising over £800 for the Appeal.

An evening of exercising the gray matter combined with the hospitality of Jenny and Martin from Fleming Park Bowling Club and a ploughman’s for sustenance was enjoyed by over 100 quizzers.

The winning team, If Only We Could, pipped the Bishopstoke Bandits to top spot thanks to their knowledge of that favourite Christmas song, The Twelve Nights.  The Underpaids are ‘proud’ holders of the Wooden Spoon.

With grateful thanks to Fleming Park Bowling Club, our quiz master Colin and all of the contestants who helped make the evening the success that it was.

Song and Dance for Sophie's Appeal

The award winning International Southern Minstrels, with dancers from the age of three upwards, entertained an audience at the Theatre Royal in Winchester in January helping to raise valuable funds for Sophie’s Appeal.

Songs from hit musicals accompanied by dance choreographed by Iris Price saw smiles and toe tapping throughout the stalls.

With grateful thanks to all the guys and gals for their hard work and fundraising efforts.

College Donates Over £800

Thanks to Eastleigh College who chose to support Sophie’s Appeal for a second year running as their Charity of the Year.

Through a variety of fundraising efforts over £800 was donated and a cheque presented by Jas Kang and the staff and students at a presentation on a very cold and windy day in late January!

Thanks once again to all of the staff and Students for their continued support.