Managing Directors Harry and Hilary Fletcher opened the first ECCO franchise in the UK and have been selling ECCO shoes for over 25 years in the heart of Oxford. I recently met with Harry to discuss the charity event ‘Oxford Gives’ run by The Funding Network at The Old Fire Station.
The following charities were present;
- Aspire
Aspire’s goal is to find full time employment for homeless people, offenders, addicts and those with mental health issues. Members of Aspire are given work placements in a variety of professions such as grounds maintenance and furniture repair, in order to teach them the necessary skills for employment as well as work experience.
http://www.aspireoxford.co.uk/holding-page/
- My Life My Choice
My Life My Choice empowers and supports people with learning disabilities. ‘Running Hate Crime out of Town’ campaign will work with champions and trainees to raise awareness and defeat learning disability hate crime.
- COIN
Moving Voices highlights testimonies from the millions who are displaced by climate change. Using these, COIN will raise the debate and campaign for polices to protect them.
http://www.climateoutreach.org.uk/
- Arts at the Old Fire Station
Arts at the Old Fire Station supports homeless people in a public arts centre, building confidence and transferable skills.
http://www.oldfirestation.org.uk/how-we-work-with-crisis-skylight/

1. So what exactly did the evening involve?
It was an evening for the four charities to appeal for donations – from organisations, companies and individuals – by giving six-minute presentations on exactly how they would use £5000. You knew exactly how they would use your donation, and it made you confident that your donation would have a positive and active outcome.
2. The Old Fire Station itself has been described as an ‘inspiring centre for social change’, could you please expand on that?
The Old Fire Station itself is a lovely old building, I have always been fond of it because I had a friend who was based there as a fireman. We saw for ourselves just how inspiring the Old Fire Station is through the story of Chris. He said that when he had lost all self-confidence and felt lost, he was told by his social worker to go there. Now he runs evenings, and has been given back his sense of purpose and self-belief, something which we all take for granted. Not only is there the work being run by Crisis Skylight, but the art shop is also doing its part for the community. It sells items made by 100 different artists and designers, over half of the makers being based in Oxfordshire.
3. How did it feel as an Oxford-based business owner to hear about the positive impact that these four local charities are having on the area?
All of the charities felt very close to heart and home, we have worked with Aspire in the past so it was great to hear about their good work and also to learn about the other local charities. In particular, I am really pleased that I had the chance to learn about My Life My Choice. We were invited because of our involvement with Aspire, and we were so pleased to be able to do something local. As a business I do feel as though it’s our duty to use our resources and help in whatever way we can.
4. How did it feel to personally see and hear from those individuals involved in the charities?
Very moving, the evening gave me a great insight into ways of life that I’m not aware of. Obviously I have seen similar stories in the news, but the evening really highlighted the reality of it and brought it home for me. Especially My Life My Choice, it left me really thinking how we could all do more and made me reflect on how I personally view others.
5. Was there a stand-out or particularly resonant moment from the evening that you would like to share?
Again it would have to be the presentation given by Husband and wife, Tracy and Nigel for My Life My Choice. Their moving story really made me gulp and reflect about the impact of words.
6. Could you please tell me more about your personal involvement with Aspire?
We employ one or two people to help with our brochure distribution, packaging and labelling the post before it’s sent out to customers. We have found that working with them has been a very successful and positive experience.
7. Has the evening left you with any plans or thoughts for the future
The evening definitely made me think how we could use Aspire more and look for opportunities in our business. I recently had a meeting with them and we are considering using their services to help with one of our busiest periods, which is sale preparation.
See the youtube clips of the evening for yourself here;
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheFundingNetwork

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1963 – The year ECCO was founded
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