Banbury mayor launches virtual speakers evening to help local charities during Covid-19 pandemic

Banbury Mayor John Colegrave has invited representatives of more than 100 local charities and charitable organisations to a virtual speakers evening on Thursday February 4.

The on-line event will encourage and support collaboration between local good causes and will include advice for future charity funding.

Many charitable groups have suffered fundraising problems during the coronavirus pandemic.

The event will be hosted by Sir Tony Baldry with speakers including Tim Stevenson OBE (Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire), Amanda Ponsonby (High Sheriff of Oxfordshire), Angela Cristofoli (Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action), Adrian Sells (Oxfordshire Community Foundation), Keith Davies (Citizens Advice), Bee Myson (Age Friendly Banbury), and Tim Tarby-Donald (Charity Ninja).

Cllr Colegrave said: “This is a difficult time for local charities and good causes, large and small. I want to do something that will let them know they are not forgotten and to suggest ways of fundraising.

“Banbury Town Council has set up an emergency grant fund to help Banbury-based good causes that are struggling for funds – and details are on the town council’s website. I’m hoping the speakers evening, which starts at 6.30pm, will come up with other suggestions.”

The virtual get-together will end with a question and answer session.