Veteran fundraiser humbled’ to reach half a million milestone after 40 years

A veteran fundraiser said she is ‘amazed and inspired’ after raising half a million pounds over 40 years of ‘fasting’ for Oxfam.

Cookham resident, Barbara Walmsley, annually marshals a fundraising stall in the Maidenhead Sainsbury’s in Providence Place to raise awareness of global poverty.

She collects money for more than 30 hours with her cardboard cutout friend ‘Boxfam Barbara’ who, for medical reasons, fasts on her behalf.

Barbara said the four-day collection between October 16 and 19 was ‘very successful’ with £1,227.76 raised – which was ‘much more’ than last year.

“At this particular time, when people are often struggling to make ends meet, I was really amazed and inspired by the generosity of the Sainsbury's shoppers,” she told the Advertiser.

“I met a lot of kind and interesting people, many had read of my 40th year in the Advertiser, and a surprising number remembered me as a toddler when I was collecting at the old Sainsbury’s.”

The 87-year-old has been an Oxfam volunteer for 70 years and started ‘shaking a collecting tin’ in 1953.

She has felt ‘humbled’ by the generosity of shoppers over the decades, who have contributed to her raising more than half a million pounds for charity.

“I think that this year, people in the UK are so aware of the suffering we all see on our television screens that we appreciate what we have far more, and even having enough to eat and clean water is an enormous privilege,” she said.

“I feel very humbled that so many people have supported me over the years, and incredibly happy to think that some of those people who live in grinding poverty will see an unexpected improvement in their lives.”

Earlier this month, Barbara hosted another ‘very successful’ annual Oxfam charity coffee morning at Holy Trinity Church with guest speaker, writer and comedian Robin Ince.

Barbara said: “We were all bowled over by his enthusiasm.

“He is an exceptional writer and communicator and spoke about a large range of subjects, including his passion for books and the many visits he makes to Oxfam shops, discovering all sorts of treasures.

“He has a passion for Oxfam too, which made him an ideal speaker.”

The 17th annual coffee morning raised £750, and after the Sainsbury’s collection and her sponsorships, Barbara reached her grand total of ‘well over half-a-million’ from the time she started raising money for Oxfam 40 years ago.

“I was particularly grateful to Sainsbury’s and the Advertiser for again giving me the opportunity to raise money for people who, through no fault of their own, are living in situations of extreme poverty,” she said.

To sponsor Barbara, visit: www.tinyurl.com/39wr2cu5