In the past 12-months people have run, baked, climbed, cycled, led auctions, sold ice Lollie’s, hosted beer and music festivals, staged performances and so much more to help raise over £200,000 for a special Oxfordshire-based charity.
Today, The Hummingbird Centre founder Mechelle Harris and Centre Manager Zoe Draper want to say a personal thank you to each and every supporter.
The charity, based in Launton, near Bicester, supports people with cancer and their families across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, say it could not run without the “impressive” fund raising that is done by so many.
In the past year more than 4,000 people have used the services, which includes an array of services from counselling, children’s service, complementary therapies, well-being workshops, on-going support groups, weekly activities and a Lymphoedema Clinic.
Mechelle said: “I want to personally thank everyone who has supported The Hummingbird Centre over the past year. Their efforts have been amazing and we really are in awe of each and every one of them. We know the last few years have been particularly difficult financially for many people, and we are so grateful to everyone who have dug deep and continued to support us. Each year we have to raise at least £170,000 in order to provide these vital services, the effort people go to makes us feel we are at the heart of our community and we aim to continue to serve that community for as long as we are needed.”
The charity says this year it has seen a 50% increase in the number of people seeking support – now around 200 people a week – the highest number ever. Every penny raised goes back into the centre to ensure we are able to provide as many of our services for free to anyone who needs them.
Centre Manager Zoe Draper has praised The Hummingbird Centre’s team of volunteers and professionals, who she says are the back-bone of the charity.
She said: “We have so many wonderful volunteers and professionals who give their time week in week out to make the Hummingbird Centre the special place it is. I really want to thank each and every one of them for their time, support and friendship this past year.”
One her highlights of 2025 has been getting the new men’s group off the ground in September. The group – just for men – meet on the first Monday of each month and is going from strength to strength.
Zoe said: “It has been an ambition of the charity to set up a men’s group aimed at offering support to men impacted by cancer and getting them talking. We know traditionally men don’t talk – but seeing this group develop from that first meeting in September to what it is now, has been wonderful.”
As the year closes, Mechelle has one eye on 2026 – “It’s the people who support us that enable us to continue to offer our services to people on their cancer journey. We would love to hear from companies who are looking to nominate a charity next year and hope all those groups and individuals who do such amazing things to raise money for us will continue.
“For us, aside from fund raising, the big challenge is our premises, we have literally out-grown it and we would love to find a permanent home. I’ve got a renewed passion in my belly and looking for a permanent home is top of my agenda – watch this space.”
The Hummingbird Centre will close for Christmas on Wednesday, December 17 and reopen on Tuesday, January 6 at 11.00 am.
For more information, please contact the centre via info@thehummingbirdcentre.org.uk or call 01869 244244.