Southampton Airport Summer Solstice Sprint Raises Over £3500

Over 300 people took part in a 5km fun run this morning along the runway at Southampton Airport.

Kevin Montgomery, airport fire service station manager and co-organiser of the event added: “It was an early start but a fantastic way to welcome dawn on the longest day of the year – running along our runway. We were delighted to see so many enthusiastic supporters turning out at 6am and really enjoying themselves for this charity event”

Event Organiser Mike Barringer, chairman and trustee of Sophie’s Appeal – and Airside Operations Duty Officer at Southampton Airport, added: “We are so grateful to Southampton Airport for giving us and our supporters an opportunity that very few people will ever experience; the chance to run on the runway Southampton Airport.

“We have enjoyed fantastic support from Southampton Airport and its staff over the last ten years and the money raised from this event will make a huge difference to the lives of many local children battling or recovering from life threatening illnesses.”

The prizes for the fastest individuals went to Pete Sansome from Bishopstoke (Fastest Male), Karen Andrews from Hedge End (Fastest Female) and Sophie Jones from Chandlers Ford (Fastest Junior – aged 12). Darren Phillips of Eastleigh won the Best Dressed Individual award, braving the chilly morning in a skimpy Native American outfit.

More photos are available from our photographer Sharon Merredew Photography

Hair-mazing Styling raises over £500

The end of year showcase by students at Peter Symonds College showed off some of their amazing skill and imagination with hair styles with a sci-fi theme.  Futuristic dance and a well supported raffle helped to raise £530.

We are grateful to you all for choosing to support Sophie's Appeal and for the fantastic evening of entertainment you gave us whilst under the scrutiny of your families and the judges!

Family Fun Day

Families came together to enjoy an afternoon of fun and games at the Alma Inn public house in Upham on 9th August.

Thanks go to the Alma Inn and in particular to Carla Watson, family and friends for organising the fun packed day and raised over £400 and raise the profile of Sophie's Appeal.

Carla said, 'I remember playing with Sophie and just felt that I wanted to do something to help her fantastic Appeal.  What better way than provide a day of family fun that I know she would have loved.'

Cherbourg Football Club's 9th Charity Tournament

Cherbourg Football Club's Annual Tournament took place yesterday, on one of the hottest days of the year.  We were delighted that our patrons James and Sarah Beattie were able to attend and provide photo opportunities.

Congratulations to Cherbourg A who lifted the Winner’s  Cup for the first time since the tournament began 9 years ago. They defeated AFC Spirit 2-1 in an exciting final. Third place was contested between Stumpy FC and Shotgun Bang ,two new entries to the tournament, with Stumpy FC winning 1-0.

13 teams entered the tournament helping us to raise over £600 for Sophie's Appeal.

Thanks to all who took part, the officials of the day Steve Currie and Gary Cash.  Our sincerest gratitude also must go to Melvin Laney, Chairman and Founder of Cherbourg Football Club and to Edwina Martin, Penny Stanger and friends for their hard work in the months leading up to the event making the day such a success.

Wyndham Worldwide - J.P Morgan Corporate Challenge 2014

Our tremendous thanks go to the team from Wyndham Worldwide who completed the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge in Battersea Park on 10th July and raised a fantastic total of £1023.26 for the Appeal.

The team has requested that we use these funds to help support a very poorly child and their family to escape from the stresses and strains of hospital life and spend a break away courtesy of our partner Beyond the Moon.

Without the help of fundraisers like these, we cannot help give families precious memories that will last them a lifetime.

Thanks to the team and all who supported them!

Airport Sweeps Together to Donate £100

Southampton Airport has generously donated £100 to Sophie’s Appeal following an afternoon of sprucing up the approaches to the airport ready for the summer.

18 members of staff from across the airport volunteered to clear the roadsides, bushes, pavements and car parks of litter and other items including old traffic cones, an 8ft piece of wood, matting, cables and metal stakes to name just a few!

Luke Mosley, Airport Duty Manager and organiser of the event, said:

“Everyone cares deeply about keeping the airport spick and span so with the added motivation of raising money for charity, it encouraged people to get stuck in with gusto.”

Holiday Inn does Halloween

Guests checking in at the Holiday Inn Eastleigh this Halloween were greeted by Sarah our cute black cat and Beata a splendid witch.

Dinner and Drinks were served by the Food & Beverage team, who also wore an array of Halloween themed outfits

Many thanks to all the Teams taking part in the Holiday Inn Halloween Day to raise funds for Sophie's Appeal.

Sophie's Appeal is Chosen By You!

A huge thank you to the customers and staff of Asda, Eastleigh for choosing to support Sophie's Appeal in your thousands by placing your green tokens in our collecting box!

Thanks to the Chosen by You, Given by Us community scheme looked after in store by Cecily Casey and to the tremendous support of you all, we were beneficiaries of their most recent £200.00 community donation.

Gala Evening at the Bowl

Following the announcement of Smith Brothers Stores Ltd to nominate Sophie's Appeal as their local Charity they set about organising a Dinner and Casino evening to help raise funds of the Appeal.

The Gala Evening gave SBS and their business partners and customers the chance to meet each other followed by an evening of entertainment including comedians, table magicians and a casino.

During the evening a table raffle was held which raised over £1000.00 for Sophie's Appeal.

Donna LeMay, manager of the Eastleigh branch, said 

‘I hoped to raise £1000.00 on our first fundraising event and stopped counting when we reached that! Our business partners and customers have shown what a fantastic cause Sophie's Appeal is.'

SBS supports Sophie's Appeal

To mark the opening of its latest store in Eastleigh,Smith Brothers Stores Ltd has chosen to support Sophie's Appeal this coming year.

SBS Eastleigh is the newest store to open and supplies industrial pipe work and valves to the industrial mechanical sector.

Donna Le May, store Manager for Eastleigh said, ‘We are really excited to be supporting Sophie's Appeal and look forward to helping this wonderful local charity look after sick children and continue to search for a cure for childhood cancers.'

Southampton Airport Tour de Forest

Staff from across the airport and their families gathered at the Burley Manor Hotel on a wet and windy Saturday morning in April to help raise much needed funds for Sophie's Appeal.

Cycling enthusiasts set off around the New Forest on a scenic, if somewhat soggy cycle ride whilst a treasure hunt was also organised around Burley Village for those not cycling.

Over £300.00 was raised on the day and with grateful thanks to the BAA Communities Trust, this could soon be match funded.

Thanks once again to all who braved the elements and also to Jan, Lucy, Trevor, Mark, Daz, Judi, Linda and the cadets from 1216 (Eastleigh) Squadron, Air Training Corps for all of their help on the day.