Karl said, ‘Hally talked a lot about what Helen & Douglas House do and it is so important that we help our local community, so, I am extremely proud to be able to help in any way I can. I look forward to working with them, meeting the amazing families who they help, and making sure that if the football club can offer any help or support, then we are there for them.’
Promoting our eBay shop at matches
Janet Carruzzo from Helen & Douglas House said ‘We’re delighted that Karl has agreed to be an ambassador for our charity. We look forward to introducing him to some of our families and to working with Oxford United to raise awareness of the charity and raising much-needed funds to help more local children like Ella and their families.’
Ella is a big fan of Oxford United
Ella Greenough is six years old and she lives with her family in Oxford who are big Oxford United fans. Ella comes to Helen & Douglas House for short supportive stays to help manage her long-term conditions.
Kirsty, Ella’s mum, said ‘Helen & Douglas House has helped us as a family in so many ways. When you have a child with complex medical needs, life is tough as you are always worrying and wondering what’s going to happen next. But, for any concerns we have, Helen & Douglas House have always been there for us. It might just be for a chat or to have a bit of respite so we can recharge our batteries as parents. For this, we will never forget them. ‘Without Helen & Douglas House we don’t know what we would do. They take a very bad situation and turn it into memories and happiness, which makes you forget what you’re going through for a while. We are truly thankful to them for being there for us, and so many other families. Most of all they always make Ella smile.’
A special match
Oxford United’s partnership with Helen & Douglas House got off to a special start on Saturday 12th February. On the Friday before the match, it was announced that Karl Robinson is to be an Ambassador for Helen & Douglas House, a place that many local United fans will know and love. And then, on Saturday, we were featured in the matchday programme and on LED boards all around the pitch for their game against Bolton Wanderers.
Karl also invited Ella along as their Guest of Honour. Ella’s family have strong connections with the club and Helen & Douglas House have done so much to help her family as she fights with unbelievable courage against illness. But they didn’t stop there. Ella also got to meet some of the players and was even given a post-match shirt from her favourite player.
If you would like to help children like Ella, you don’t have to go along to an OUFC match, but you can help in many other ways. Why not visit our eBay page to shop for great items to buy to support the charity, or simply donate: