Last month, Oxford Hospitals Charity had the pleasure of welcoming back two of its most dedicated supporters, Dan Hancocks and Anthony Surley, to the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Between 2010 and 2020, Dan, from Grendon Underwood and Anthony from Milton Keynes raised over £200,000 for the hospital through their charity golf days, a remarkable achievement that has had a lasting impact on the hospital and its young patients.

Dan and Anthony were invited back to see the commemorative plaque that will be put up in the hospital and to reminisce with familiar faces on the ward that held a special place in their hearts over some tea and cake.

Both men have personal connections to the hospital: Anthony's son was born in 2009 with a rare gastroenterological disease, and Dan's son was born a few months later, requiring major bowel surgery.

Their gratitude for the care their sons received inspired them to give back by organising annual charity golf days.

The idea for this event was ignited when Dan and Anthony attended a charity golf day and decided to start their own in 2010. With the help of Penny, the charity's events coordinator at the time, and contributions from numerous friends and colleagues, their golf days became a huge draw for many.

Nathan Swift’s engaging auctioneering, Aubergine’s PR expertise, as well as Dan and Anthony’s friends helping out where possible, drawing golfers who returned year after year.

The generosity of participants and sponsors over the years was extraordinary, with over £200,000 raised for the Children's Hospital. These funds have directly benefited young patients, with funding going towards state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, sensory equipment, paediatric gastroenterology equipment,  a parent’s sitting room and our appeal towards helping to build a new 62-bedroom Ronald McDonald facility for families of children under the hospital's care.

Graham Douglas, CEO of Oxford Hospitals Charity, expressed his gratitude: "We are immensely grateful to Dan and Anthony for joining us at the hospital and sharing a memorable afternoon. It was wonderful to see Dan's son and daughter as well as many ward staff and play specialists.

“To this day, Dan and Anthony are still among our highest fundraisers for the charity, and the afternoon felt like a fitting tribute to them. It was also so lovely to welcome back our colleague Penny Hambridge who did so much to help our Children’s Hospital”

The commemorative plaque will be proudly displayed in the Children’s Hospital as a lasting testament to the incredible contributions made by Dan, Anthony, and their supporters.