A community fun day held in Wokingham by a father and son oven cleaning duo has raised £1,840 in aid of The Little Princess Trust.
Adam Penniston, who runs Ovenu Wokingham, and his son Ryan, who operates Ovenu Maidenhead and Ovenu Bracknell, were overwhelmed at the support they received from the friends and neighbours who attended.
Ryan also praised his 12-year-old niece, Maisie Murphy, who donated several inches of her own hair to the Trust which provides free real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their own hair due to cancer.
She was inspired after overhearing a conversation about childhood cancer between her mum and a friend.
Ryan said: “When she found out that children also lose their hair during cancer treatment, she was determined to grow her own locks a little longer so she could make a positive contribution to their valuable work.
“I know the Trust is always seeking donations of hair so I hope Maisie’s gesture will inspire others to do the same.”
Staged in the garden of Adam’s Wokingham home, the fun day featured a BBQ, refreshments, children’s games, quiz and raffle.
They raised £1,550 on the day, including £405 from a raffle, while their JustGiving page boosted the total by a further £290.
They were inspired to organise the fundraiser after a close friend of the family received a cancer diagnosis. The pair, who were forced to cancel their original charity fun day in 2020 due to the pandemic, have previously raised money for the Anthony Nolan Trust, and an oral cancer charity.
Adam Penniston, one of Ovenu’s longest serving franchisees, added: “We were overwhelmed by the support we received from the community and all those local businesses who donated raffle prizes.
“The Little Princess Trust is a cause close to our hearts, and we’re thrilled to have been able to contribute to such a worthwhile cause.”
He also thanked wife Annmarie for her hard work in helping set up the event, including taking charge of the successful raffle and organising the facepainting and Maisie’s haircut.
Wendy Tarplee-Morris, founder of The Little Princess Trust, said she was incredibly grateful to Adam, Ryan, Maisie and Annmarie for their fantastic efforts.
She said: “Maisie’s wonderful hair donation and the incredible sum of money raised will be a huge help to our free wig provision service.
“We are now providing more free wigs for children and young people than ever before, but we can only do this thanks to brilliant people who selflessly think of others.”
For information about raising money or donating your hair to The Little Princess Trust visit: www.littleprincesses.org.uk/.
