Phil's Oxfam Legacy

“In the early nineties, it was a difficult economic situation in this country, especially in financial services. I got made redundant from the finance sector and I thought I could try something different.

Oxfam’s Southwest regional office was really near where I lived, and I saw that they were looking for people to get involved. Most of the things I did was working on campaigns, some fundraising and then there was the shops element. It was a little heart of Bristol really.”

Over roughly four years, with the help of his small but enthusiastic team, Phil worked on many momentous Oxfam campaigns in the Southwest. From Water for Africa and the Cold Front Appeal, which called for donations of clothes for Kurdish refugees displaced during winter, to helping establish Oxfam’s now ever-presence at Glastonbury Festival.

“The Oxfam work gave me a more meaningful thing to get involved with. I was writing my own press releases, writing to celebrities and journalists, getting them to respond directly – it really gives you a sense of achievement.

It reminded me again that there are more important things in the world. And my work became more meaningful and purposeful.”

For Phil, one of the most memorable campaigns he worked on was “one for Goma (DRC), for refugees from the war, genocide really – fleeing to Rwanda. We were fundraising to send a plane from Bristol to Goma full of emergency equipment. Again, I largely did the press releases and helped to build the story up...It raised over £200,000 in a relatively short period of time.

It was amazing, including support from kids who sold toys to raise money. We got them out of school to come and see the amazing aircraft. We also had a lot of help from graduate trainees from British Aerospace, helping to load the plane up. It was quite an amazing sight.”

“Oxfam’s response to emergencies has always resonated with me. Supporting when floods, earthquakes and famine etc happen. Many of course which are caused more frequently by climate change.

I went to Oxfam’s emergency warehouse with all the kits in Bicester, that’s impressive, with all that stuff ready to go now. If something happens tomorrow, they can respond immediately and be there. That’s a brilliant thing.

They also provide funding for projects that really help people have independence to improve their lives in a changing world politically, environmentally and economically. But they don’t try to be all things to all people. They choose areas and do what they do really well.

I just know how important Oxfam’s work is and I wanted to support in a useful way, so I’m leaving a donation in my Will ... I thought, I am in the fortunate position of owning properties, asset rich and when I am gone that’s gone, so I want to use it well.”