For those who are unsure of what The Oxygen Works is – please have a look on their website for full details.
In summary the Centre was founded in 1992, built by the people, for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
They offer a range of therapies and services for people with MS but also for a variety of people living with other illnesses and ailments. In 2017, they re-branded to “The Oxygen Works” (which coincides with one of the therapies they provide) with an ethos to combat social exclusions, everybody is welcome.
So where do Team Jacobite come into this? Well, every year we choose a charity to support throughout the year, and this year we chose The Oxygen Works.
As part of this and as it is the run up to Christmas we decided to run a 12 days of kindness campaign, where we go along to the centre and do bits and pieces for them, whether it be making lunch, gritting the car park, hosting a coffee morning or simply getting to know the members. We have spent some amount of time in the centre and have gotten to know the members, volunteers and staff quite well making this one of the most personable charities we have ever been involved with. They have welcomed us in as part of the family - we’re always greeted with a smile and a hot drink, and even invited to stay for lunch. It really is like a little family, and we are beyond proud to be part of this.
The centre is at the heart of all they do. It is a place to socialise, it is a place to share your fears and it’s a place to plan new dreams. Every person involved supports the other as they fight their own personal battle. However, this perfectly painted picture doesn’t come without a struggle. The centre runs solely on donations without which they cannot operate. As we all know, it’s easy to turn a blind eye when it doesn’t affect you, but we never know when we will need to rely on the kindness of others – much like the 500 members of the Oxygen Works.
On a personal level, it’s been overwhelming to be surrounded by such empowering people. It’s also deeply heart breaking at the very idea that this charity might not be here in a few years.
So we ask two things of you – take a look at our Facebook page, watch the videos and get a feel for what we have been doing.
Then please head over to our just giving page and donate anything you can – every penny goes straight back into the running of the centre.