Rhubarb 2019

4 ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

OSE Connections through Charitable Endeavour

Helen Killingley (D, 1999-2004) has spent her career in the third sector. As a trustee of the charity, Access Sport, she believes in their goal that every young person should be able to access sport and experience the power it can have in enhancing their life prospects.  Access Sport works across the UK focused on disability and inclusion, cycling and volunteering. Through its programmes, the charity works in partnership with organisations such as England Hockey, British Cycling and the High Sheriff network. Richard Venables Deputy Lieutenant (A, 1980-1985) has been an avid supporter of their work. He tells us more: ‘It was my privilege to be High Sheriff of Oxfordshire last year. During my tenure, I embarked on a variety of fundraising initiatives, including a Corporate Challenge, and raised around £200k for charities relating to youth Saving Orangutans Having worked in Borneo for eight months Deyá Ward (D, 2008-2013) now focuses her time on orangutan conservation. Deyá frequently talks in schools in order to engage children in conservation and has also made a number of films, which can be accessed from her website, www.deyaward.com . Currently fundraising for the Sumatran

sport initiatives in Oxfordshire’s deprived communities and mental health awareness in our schools. I have been delighted to meet several other OSE who are engaged with local charities including Rick Mower (K, 1982-1986) who is the inspirational CEO of RAW in Blackbird Leys and Simon Smith (C, 1977-1982), trustee of the Banbury Young Homeless Project tackling issues in North Oxfordshire. The majority of my funding has gone to Access Sport who operate in East Oxford and work with existing community sport groups. I also have a ‘Black Dog’ from the SANE mental health charity travelling around Oxfordshire’s primary and secondary schools to raise awareness of mental health issues. In April 2019 I became a trustee of Oxfordshire Youth and so the journey continues.’ Helen also works for Spirit of 2012. This trust, which sponsors Access Sport’s Flyerz

Hockey programme, was set up with an endowment from the National Lottery Community Fund after London 2012. Backed by Kate and Helen Richardson- Walsh, this programme focuses on disability inclusion in hockey clubs providing funding of £250k over three years. 

C H A R I T I E S

Simon Smith and Richard Venables

Orangutan Society, Deyá ran the London Marathon in April with a giant toy orangutan on her back.