Each year a number of local charities are nominated by members to become the WAMGOC charity of the year. The final choice is made by a show of hands at a club night.

All proceeds from the Octagonal run entries, the Octagonal run raffle, the monthly book exchange are donated to the charity at the November AGM.

WAMGOC 2009 charity:

Helen and Douglas House is a registered charity providing respite and end of life care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions, as well as support and friendship for the whole family. The two hospice houses are bright, vibrant and positive places, where the emphasis is on living life to the full, even when that life may be short. There are many families in the UK caring for a child or a young adult who has a life-shortening condition. Caring for someone, often for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, over many years, can put an immeasurable strain upon the family. While families willingly invest love, energy and care, life becomes governed by the relentless timetable of nursing and medical needs. Relationships can suffer, careers may have to be abandoned, healthy brothers and sisters can feel left out and regular family activities and holidays can be rare. Families can often feel alone and afraid of their grief.
Children can stay at Helen House and young adults can stay at Douglas House, along with their families, for short periods of time for rest and recuperation, treatment of distressing symptoms, end of life care and support. Although these hospices are in Oxford, they provide care for our area of South Bucks. They have negligible funding from the NHS and are dependant on donations to enable them to provide a much needed service to the community.
For more details go to www.helenanddouglas.org.uk

Previous years charities:

2008: Stokenchurch dog rescue

2007: Pepper foundation

2006: Thames Vallley and Chiltern Air Ambulance

2005: The Ian Rennie hospice