The Oxfordshire business community has once again demonstrated the extraordinary impact that collaboration and generosity can achieve.
Through the B4 Raise’25 campaign, more than £74,000 has been raised for 12 local charities, supporting people across Oxfordshire at every stage of life – from young carers and vulnerable young people to those experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges or serious illness.
The campaign brought together businesses, individuals and charities through a wide range of initiatives including fundraising events, sporting challenges, dinners, raffles and community activities. Over the course of the year, 18 fundraising initiatives and more than 400 donations helped generate over £31,000 in fundraising income, which was then matched pound-for-pound by an anonymous philanthropist, with additional Gift Aid bringing the final total to £74,275 available for grant-making.
The funds will be distributed to 12 charities working across Oxfordshire, addressing issues including youth support, homelessness, rural isolation, sexual violence support, mental health and end-of-life care.
A key feature of Raise’25 is that the funding is unrestricted, allowing charities to deploy the money where it is needed most – whether supporting staff, delivering services or responding quickly to emerging needs in their communities.
A Community Effort
The success of Raise’25 reflects the creativity and commitment of the local business community.
Fundraising activities included:
- A launch event at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
- A golf day at Frilford Heath
- Community dinners, quizzes and race nights
- Individual sporting challenges including marathons, treks and endurance events
- A festive gift-wrapping campaign in Oxford’s Westgate Centre
- The campaign finale event at Rhodes House
B4 co-founders Richard and Tina Rosser also played a central role throughout the year, with Richard visiting more than 50 local organisations to raise awareness of the campaign and encourage participation and completing 10,000 press-ups in January with the 323 Challenge. Tina was a driving force behind the many Raise’25 events as raising funds for charities has long been a passion of hers.
Richard commented. “I think the business community can pat itself on the back for generating such a huge total. I’m very proud of our efforts and those of our B4 members and businesses in the wider community for stepping up. Sometimes you just need to get out there and shout about these brilliant causes and I like to think we’ve done a good job of doing that this year, because they need and will continue to need our help to support the amazing work they are doing. A huge thank you to those that have donated, supported, sponsored, hosted and contributed in whatever way they have and also to the charities for getting stuck in to make this a real team effort! Excited for 2026. It’s been our pleasure to support and huge thanks to Tina for her inspiration and hard work.”
Real Impact for Local Charities
For the charities receiving support, the funding represents much more than a financial contribution – it provides stability and confidence during a challenging fundraising environment.
Lauren Kendall from Survivor Space Oxfordshire said: “Just to say we’ve had our grant confirmed and we are delighted! Thank you, and everyone that supported Raise, so much! It’s been wonderful to be part of Raise again and we’re so grateful for everything you’ve done and continue to do for Survivor Space. Please also pass our sincere thanks on to Tina too.”
Amelia Foster, Chief Executive at Sobell House Hospice Charity, commented. “Sobell is thrilled to be a part of Raise. We are consistently amazed by the generosity and support of the whole community and very grateful to B4 for their enormous commitment, energy and drive. The amount raised is phenomenal and will make an enormous difference, especially with the generous match funding.”
For Oxfordshire Youth, the grant is helping strengthen their financial position and enabling more strategic planning. Emmy O’Shaughnessy, Deputy CEO of Oxfordshire Youth, said: “I wanted to personally say how deeply grateful we are for the financial contribution raised through the campaign. The support Oxfordshire Youth has received will make a real difference to us this year.
“For a long time we’ve been facing significant pressure due to restricted funding, which makes it incredibly difficult to plan ahead with confidence. Knowing this support is coming in – and being able to rely on it – has genuinely eased some of that worry for our team.
“It allows us to think more strategically about the work we do and the young people we support across Oxfordshire. Support like this has absolutely played a part in helping us stabilise and move forward with confidence. Thank you to Richard, Tina and everyone involved for backing Oxfordshire Youth and the charities in this campaign. It goes a very long way and we are incredibly grateful.”
“All of us at The Story Museum would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has fundraised for Rasie’25. This grant will help us continue bringing stories to life here at the museum and out in the community, transforming young people’s creativity, literacy, and wellbeing.” Added Niamh Walshe.
Gemma Sills, Head of Partnerships at Plunkett UK, also explains how Raise aligns with their aims. “What a year it’s been for Raise! On behalf of Plunkett UK, thank you to everyone who has so generously supported this incredible collaborative fundraising initiative. At the heart of Plunkett is the ambition for communities to come together to create lasting impact, and that’s exactly what Raise is about – individuals and businesses from across Oxfordshire working together to make a positive difference within the county. We can’t thank you all enough.”
Jamie Murrary commented. “As Chair of the Hoops Foundation, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in B4 Raise’25. Initiatives like this show the incredible impact that can be achieved when the Oxfordshire business community comes together to support local charities. The unrestricted funding we have received will make a real difference, giving us the flexibility to invest where the need is greatest – helping us continue to use sport to improve mental health, create opportunities for young people and strengthen our community.”
The campaign was supported by Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF), which manages the B4 Raise charitable fund and ensures the funds are distributed responsibly.
Kate Parrinder from Oxfordshire Community Foundation said: “What strikes me about this year’s fundraising is the range of different initiatives undertaken by local businesses – from sponsored challenges to quizzes, the B4 community has really stepped up to support local causes.
“Donations range from a fiver to £41k, so there really is a way for everyone to get involved. This collective action from businesses was exactly what appealed to our anonymous match funder, who wanted to support and encourage action, as well as provide vital funds to the beneficiary charities.
“It is a privilege for OCF to provide the mechanism for people to give to B4 Raise, however they choose to do so.”
For charities working on the front line of social issues, the support will directly help people in crisis.
Tim Wraith of Homeless Oxfordshire said: “Here at Homeless Oxfordshire, we are incredibly grateful for the financial support we have received from Raise’25. This amount of money makes such a big difference and helps us provide life changing support to people in our community living very tough and challenging lives. Thank you B4, Tina and Richard and all the many local businesses that supported Raise’25.”
Peter Christmas from Connection Support added: “Connection Support has been very pleased to take part in, and benefit from, B4’s Raise ’25 initiative. We would like to thank all of the businesses and individuals who have contributed to the funds raised; Connection Support’s share of the proceeds will help us to continue supporting people across our communities who are facing crisis, from homelessness and mental ill-health to the trauma of forced displacement.”
Sabiene North, CEO at Be Free Young Carers, commented. “Being part of Raise ’25 has been truly inspiring. At a time when charities are facing immense pressure, the Oxfordshire business community has stepped forward with generosity, energy and heart. This support doesn’t just raise funds, it strengthens the foundations that organisations like ours rely on to protect, uplift and empower young carers. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed, organised, donated or championed this campaign. Your belief in our work helps ensure that young carers across Oxfordshire are seen, valued and supported, and that together we can continue building a fairer and more compassionate county.”
Stuart Crook, Board Member at The Joey Beauchamp Foundation, said. “As one of the charities proud to be part of B4 Raise’25, we have seen first-hand the power of collaboration in action. Together, as a collective of charities, businesses and individuals, we have demonstrated what is truly possible when Oxfordshire comes together with a shared purpose. B4 has showcased the strength, generosity and unity of the Oxfordshire business community, and we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed, supported and made this impact possible.”
Emma Murphy, Associate Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications at Response added. “Thank you to everyone who took part in the Raise 25 quiz we hosted and helped make the evening such a success. We’re especially grateful to Tap Social Movement for generously providing their venue free of charge and Response’s corporate partners who submitted teams and raffle prizes.
“As a Silver charity partner, the £1,768 raised for Response will go towards trauma-informed therapy for the people we support. Many of the adults and young people we work with have experienced significant trauma alongside mental health challenges. Funding like this helps us provide specialist therapeutic support so people can begin to process what they’ve been through and start to rebuild their lives.”
A Business Community Making a Difference
Raise’25 shows what can happen when businesses work together with a shared purpose. At a time when charities face increasing financial pressures and rising demand for services, initiatives like Raise bring together resources, networks and goodwill to create meaningful change. Most importantly, Raise demonstrates that local businesses can play a powerful role in strengthening their communities.
To everyone who organised an event, took on a challenge, donated, sponsored or supported the campaign – thank you.
Together, the Oxfordshire business community has helped make the county a fairer, safer and more supportive place for thousands of people.
To support Raise in 2026, please contact tina@b4-business.com to find out more.
Read the full report here.