Having raised £1000 for Helen & Douglas House at the OXINABOX FOOD AWARDS 2025, we are keen to promote their £1 On The Bill campaign this Christmas.
Those already taking part in the £1 On The Bill campaign include The Perch and Mamma Mia in Oxford, Bampton’s Market Tavern, Jericho’s Old Bookbinders and Henley’s Golden Ball, but the Oxford charity is hoping that more hospitality businesses will follow. (They can sign up here community@helenandouglas.org.uk)
The Perch in Binsey and Mamma Mia in Jericho and Summertown, have been running the £1 on The Bill campaign for seven years now and have raised over £40,000
Helen & Douglas House has to raise £6 million pounds a year to keep the Oxford children’s hospice open and care for around 200 families per annum who need their help. And they need to raise £66,000 to help fund the total cost of care this Christmas. But they can’t do it without the help of the local community.
Jon Ellse who runs The Perch in Binsey, and Mamma Mia in Jericho and Summertown, has been running the £1 on The Bill campaign for seven years now at his pubs and restaurants during December, and has raised over £40,000 for the hospice.
‘The care that Helen & Douglas House give to children and their families is incredibly inspiring’
“The care that Helen & Douglas House give to children and their families is incredibly inspiring. I’d known about their work for some time but when I visited the Oxford hospice it really brought it home. It was incredibly emotional and educational to see it for myself because the work they do there is so important,” he says.
And what do his customers make of it? “Our guests have been so supportive of the campaign. We automatically add £1 onto their whole bill and they can opt out if they want, so it’s £1 per table, but so many of our guests add more, or round it up to £5. Our customers generally are delighted to donate because at that time of year it’s all about giving, and Helen & Douglas House is such an incredible and positive cause.”
‘It’s such a good cause and I’ve always wanted to be involved, so for us it’s a no-brainer’
Will Morris at The Market Tavern in Bampton has signed up this year and says: “It’s such a good cause and I’ve always wanted to be involved, so for us it’s a no-brainer. It’s only £1 after all, and it’s going to such a good cause. And because Helen & Douglas House is in our area you can see where the money is going. Everyone knows Helen & Douglas House, because it’s local and they have a great reputation. You can really see the difference they make.”
Andrea Baganz-Pritchard, Community Fundraising Manager at Helen & Douglas House says: “People do not want to talk about dying children but the reality is that it’s happening, and we need to be there for them, from babies up to 25 year-olds, both in the hospice and through our extensive outreach programme supporting families at home.
‘Any support we can get from the hospitality industry to help us continue our vital work would make a huge difference’
“Any support we can get from the hospitality industry to help us continue our vital work would make a huge difference to families facing the unimaginable. And while £1 On The Bill sounds like a minimal amount, it really adds up.
Jon Ellse says it’s super easy to implement the £1 On The Bill Campaign, Helen & Douglas House supplying media packs, taking anyone who signs up through the process, offering cards for each table, explaining what the charity does, and even briefing staff if required.
‘£1 On The Bill really works for us during December, it’s super simple, and it’s a great way of giving something back’
“£1 On The Bill really works for us during December, it’s super simple, and it’s a great way of giving something back.”
Andrea adds: “£1 on the Bill is a simple, yet powerful way to support those in need. This initiative allows restaurants, cafés, and bars to add a voluntary £1 donation to customers’ bills, with 100% of the proceeds going to charity. It’s an effortless way to make a real difference – one meal, one coffee, one small act of kindness at a time.
Get in touch with Andrea to discuss how you can participate with £1 On The Bill this festive period at community@helenandouglas.org.uk
