Month: November 2025

Stratford Town FC targets Molly Ollys with This Year’s Christmas Campaign

Stratford Town FC targets Molly Ollys with This Year’s Christmas Campaign

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Molly Ollys, charity, Stratford Town Football Club
Rachel Ollerenshaw and Olly The Brave are pictured with Steven Burge, STFC Commercial Manager.

Stratford Town Football Club is proud to announce its support for local children’s charity Molly Ollys with this year’s Christmas Campaign, helping bring comfort, joy, and special memories to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Molly Ollys, founded in memory of Molly Ollerenshaw, works tirelessly to support children facing serious health challenges by providing emotional support, therapeutic toys, and granting wishes that help make difficult days a little brighter.

This Christmas, Stratford Town FC is joining forces with Molly Ollys to raise awareness and funds through a series of initiatives, including a donation drive day where the team from Molly Ollys will join Stratford Town FC at the Arden Garages Stadium for the match against St. Ives Town FC on Saturday 13th December. Part of the day will see the first team take the field for their pre-match warm up wearing special Molly Ollys shirts.

The club will also be encouraging members and supporters to get involved by purchasing Molly Ollys products from their Clubhouse and website shop, or simply spreading the word about the charity’s vital work.

“Community is at the heart of everything we do at Stratford Town FC.” said Chairman Jed McCrory. “We’re honoured to support Molly Ollys this Christmas, the charity is so meaningful and emotive. Their team make a significant difference to children and families across the UK, and we are looking forward to building strong ties with them with this

Christmas Campaign and future initiatives.”

As well as providing more than 4,300 wishes to date, Molly Ollys donates therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Olly The Brave is a therapeutic toy that helps children understand their treatment journey. Along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series, stock the lion and books now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres to distribute to children undergoing treatment. Olly has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy.

 

Molly Ollys, charity, Stratford Town Football Club
Josh Hawker, Dan Lafferty, Rachel Ollerenshaw, Dan Vann and Club captain Paul McCone.

Part of more than £5m raised to date, has also been used to fund the first consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and pay for the training of a further two consultants.

Co-founder Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “When Jed and his team approached us to be their charity Christmas partner, explained how they’re embedded within the community, in particular working with hundreds of children, we didn’t think twice about getting involved.

“Working with Stratford Town Football Club throughout December and raising vital funds in the lead up to Christmas, will not only help us start to build a long-term relationship with the football club, but will also assist Molly Ollys as we continue to support children across the UK with life-threatening illnesses.

“We’re really looking forward to matchday on 13th December and can’t wait to see the team warm up in their Molly Ollys training tops. Meeting the supporters, sponsors and volunteers of the club is important to us as we aim to increase awareness to people who may not know of the work we do. Fundraising has been particularly tough over the past couple of months and we really need help to maintain our levels of service”

Fans can support the campaign by donating at Stratford Town FC and at home matches throughout December and visiting the Molly Ollys website HERE.

Also, there are Christmas cards and gifts that can be purchased from the Molly Ollys website shop and Stratford Town Clubhouse.

Much-loved children’s novel set to be huge festive favourite

Much-loved children’s novel set to be huge festive favourite

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The BFG, RSC, Christmas

The BFG has been announced as this year’s big festive production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel, this magical new stage adaptation by Tom Wells (The Kitchen Sink, Jumpers for Goalposts) will enjoy a 10-week run between November 25th-January 31st.

One extraordinary night, a young orphan named Sophie is snatched by a giant and taken far away to Giant Country.

There she learns that human-eating giants are guzzling ‘norphans’ the world over. But she soon discovers that her new friend, the BFG, is different – he’s a dream-catching, snozzcumber-munching gentle soul who refuses to eat humans.

While other giants terrorise the world, the BFG ignites Sophie’s imagination, and they devise a daring plan to save children everywhere. In the end, the smallest human bean and the gentlest giant prove that a dream can change the world.

John Leader is stepping into the oversized shoes of Roald Dahl’s beloved character, the BFG. He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing such an iconic character who means so much to so many people. Everyone has their own picture of the BFG, so it’s really exciting (and a bit surreal!) to help bring him to life on stage.

“It’s a real joy to be collaborating with Daniel and such a talented team of creatives on this story, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it. Having grown up in Birmingham and trained at Stratford College, coming back to the RSC for a role like this honestly feels very special – a real full-circle moment.”

John was last seen with the RSC in The Merry Wives of Windsor and The School for Scandal, both in 2024. His previous theatre credits include Wuthering Heights, Peter Pan and War Horse at the National Theatre, A Monster Calls at The Old Vic and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Bridge Theatre.

The BFG, RSC, Christmas
John Leader

Director and RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans said: “Finding the actor to play our eponymous hero, BFG, has been a giant undertaking in so many ways. We knew that this crucial bit of casting was an essential piece of the puzzle. After all, it is the BFG, alongside Sophie and The Queen, who are the main trio of our story. Through each other’s friendship and allyship, they find the imagination and the strength to defeat the human-guzzling giants and save children everywhere.

“John Leader brings immense warmth, generosity and humility to the role – all essential qualities for our BFG. He also has a gleaming and vivid imagination. John will be working alongside a highly skilled team of puppeteers as part of a cast of eighteen, to bring Tom Wells’ magical new script to the stage and we look forward to sharing more exciting casting news within the coming weeks.”

Joining Daniel and Tom on the creative team is Puppetry Designer and Director, Toby Olié; Set Designer, Vicki Mortimer; Costume Designer, Kinnetia Isidore; Lighting Designer, Zoe Spurr; Video Designer, Akhila Krishnan; Illusions, Chris Fisher; Composer, Oleta Haffner; Sound Designer, Carolyn Downing; Choreographer and Movement Director, Ira Mandela Siobhan; Puppetry Co-Designer, Daisy Beattie; and Senior Set Design Associate, Matt Hellyer. The Casting Director is Christopher Worrall CDG; and the Children’s Casting Director is Verity Naughton CDG.

Tickets for The BFG are available from £16. Discounts are available for Over 65s, Disabled People and Carers, Families, UK School and College Groups and Groups of 10 or more. Terms and conditions apply. See the website HERE or call the Box Office on 01789 331111 for more details and to buy tickets.

Where’s Tony? Coventry foodbank launches it’s Christmas campaign to tackle local food crisis

Where’s Tony? Coventry foodbank launches it’s Christmas campaign to tackle local food crisis

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Coventry Foodbank, Christmas campaign, Where's Tony?

A Coventry foodbank user-come-volunteer finds himself the focus of this year’s festive fundraising campaign to help tackle the rising food crisis in the city.

Tony Lee, from Bedworth, is the ‘star’ of the charity’s latest fundraiser Where’s Tony?, a play on the popular hide and seek picture puzzle books Where’s Wally?

As well as a fun social media campaign running every other day throughout December, the 12 cartoon scenes, depicting locations in Coventry and the foodbank, also form the basis of a fundraising calendar, available to purchase from the charity now.

The campaign, which launches this week, aims to raise awareness as well as thousands of pounds for the under-pressure foodbank, which has 15 centres throughout the city.

Coventry Foodbank, Christmas campaign, Where's Tony?

Tony was first brought into contact with the foodbank in 2012 after a spell in hospital with septic arthritis, a serious condition which left him unable to work for many months while battling back to health.

He said: “I was so short of money; I had to borrow from family just to be able to have the heating on. The foodbank was a lifeline for me during that time. I was so grateful, and when I was well enough, I started volunteering at the foodbank. And a couple of years after that, I was employed as a member of staff.

“I enjoy working for the charity and get satisfaction from helping people, and I get to see that every day. Working with the charity has given me confidence; it’s given me purpose.”

On being the face of the Christmas campaign, he added: “I’m getting used to being all over the calendar. I don’t mind; if it’s helping more people in Coventry to get the food and support they need, then being turned into a comic book character and having everyone trying to find me can’t be a bad thing!”

Coventry Foodbank, Christmas campaign, Where's Tony?

There is normally a foodbank centre open somewhere in the City of Coventry six days a week as Coventry foodbank distributes food through 15 partner churches. But demand goes up in the winter months, with some people even having to make the difficult choice between heating or eating.

Coventry foodbank partners with a wide range of care professionals who identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. Foodbank clients bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three to five days’ of emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink and can signpost people to other organisations to help resolve the longer-term problems that might cause someone to need to use a foodbank.

Canon Gavin Kibble MBE, founder of Coventry foodbank said, “Every day we see how a simple act of kindness can change a life. Our Christmas calendar isn’t just a fundraiser – it’s a celebration of the people and stories that make our city so special.

Coventry Foodbank, Christmas campaign, Where's Tony?

“Tony’s is a true story, and there are thousands more stories like it, told by people who have found themselves in a difficult position and needing help. People like Tony, who, many years ago, came to us for help and is now part of the team helping others. It’s an honour to recognise his contribution to the work of the city’s foodbank over the last 15 years, as well as highlighting the dedication of over 300 volunteers and staff who ensure that thousands of people are regularly supported with emergency food.

“Tony’s story reminds us that no matter how difficult your situation, with compassion and the support of the community around you, there is always hope for a better day.

“By buying a calendar, you’re helping to feed families. The calendar makes a great Christmas present and every pound raised helps us continue to support those in need, ensuring that no one in Coventry goes hungry this Christmas.”

The calendars are £5 plus postage and can be purchased HERE.

Donors who start a regular monthly donation to Coventry foodbank in December will receive a free Where’s Tony? 2026 Calendar.

Fundraisers needed to run up huge total for Warwick children’s charity

Fundraisers needed to run up huge total for Warwick children’s charity

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Molly Ollys, Warwick Half Marathon

Fundraisers are being invited to help paint the town pink in aid of a local children’s charity by signing up for the next Warwick Half Marathon.

Molly Ollys hopes to be well represented at the annual 13.1-mile race on February 1st, to top its 2025 fundraising total £16k.

Organised by RunThrough and sponsored by Moore & Tibitts, the race will follow a route between Warwick Racecourse, along Coventry Road to Leek Wootton, along Rouncil Lane and back to Warwick via Hatton and Hampton on the Hill. A 1km junior run will also held, with nearly 100 youngsters expected to take part.

Charity founder Rachel Ollerenshaw said: ““For the second year running, Molly Ollys is delighted to be the chosen charity for the 2026 Warwick Half Marathon, one of the biggest events in the Warwickshire running calendar with more than 2,000 runners taking part.

“Although we’re based in Warwick, it’s still important to raise awareness locally for those people who may not have heard of Molly Ollys and the work we do around the UK to support children with life-threatening illnesses.

Molly Ollys, Warwick Half Marathon

“It might well be a cold day at the beginning of February if earlier this year is anything to go by, but I’d like to think the event will still be an uplifting one. Our runners really got into the spirit of ‘turning Warwick pink’, understanding exactly how their time, commitment and fundraising could make a difference to those children and families who need us most – the 2026 race should be no different. We’ll also have a number of ‘cheer stations’ throughout the course, so people can get behind their families, friends and colleagues.

“It’s predicted to be a tough year for charities due to ongoing socio-economic pressures, so we’re grateful to everyone that has decided to run for Molly Ollys. We’re seeing an increase in demand for our support so whilst our messages remain the same, we’re dealing with different children and families all of the time.”

Molly Ollys was established in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw, from Warwick, following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

The charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing more than 4,300 wishes to date, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Molly Ollys, Warwick Half Marathon

Olly The Brave is a therapeutic toy that helps children understand their treatment journey. Along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series, stock the lion and books now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres to distribute to children undergoing treatment. Olly has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy.

Part of more than £5m raised to date, has also been used to fund the first consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and pay for the training of a further two consultants.

Rachel added: “We still have a number of free places available and would love to get more runners than 2025 and beat the fundraising amount too. People can run on their own, with family, friends or colleagues. As long as we see a sea of pink on the day, we’ll be very happy.”

For more information about Molly Ollys or to donate visit HERE.

More information of the Warwick Half Marathon is available HERE.

Everyone who signs up to run with Molly Ollys will receive a free place as well as free running T-shirt and support from the team. To book your place visit HERE.

Hundreds enjoy Halloween and fireworks spectacle at village pub

Hundreds enjoy Halloween and fireworks spectacle at village pub

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Day of The Dead, Fleur de Lys, Lowsonford

A fireworks spectacle and spooky surprises were central to a Day of The Dead-themed fun Halloween event at The Fleur de Lys in Lowsonford.

Some 600 people soaked up the seasonal fun at the pub’s Halloween & Fireworks Party on Friday, enjoying a host of live family entertainment, from fire shows to music and food.

It marks the eleventh successful Bonfire Night event organised at The Fleur by owners Emma and Nick Woodhouse.

Day of The Dead, Fleur de Lys, Lowsonford

Attractions this year included performances from Storm In A Teacup circus group, including a spectacular fire show, stilt walker and hula hoopers as well as Vala Stiorra, the tarot reader. Plus, for the kids, there was the chance to get involved in face painting, craft tables and a fancy dress competition. There was also live music sets from local five-piece covers band Real Human Beings.

And it was eyes to the skies for a sensational fireworks display later on in the evening.

Day of The Dead, Fleur de Lys, Lowsonford

Emma said: “People don’t necessarily expect much from a little country pub when it comes to fireworks, but we’ve always been a bit extra. If we’ve learnt anything over the past decade of setting fire to things in our garden, it’s that more is always more. So when we decided to combine our annual fireworks night party with Halloween we knew we wanted to make it a night to remember for everyone. We drafted in circus performers, tarot readers and face painters to make sure there was fun for all the family and had Real Human Beings band on hand to get the party going.

Day of The Dead, Fleur de Lys, Lowsonford

“We’re incredibly lucky to have such a brilliant community here at the Fleur De Lys who love to spend an evening cooing over fireworks and dancing in the dark with us. Over the years we’ve tried to make this event as family-friendly as possible, including craft tables and cookie decorating stations as well this year, to keep little ones engaged even if they’re not that interested in the big show.

She added: “The Fleur De Lys was crowned as the Best Pub of the Year at Coventry and Warwickshire’s Foodie Awards this year, so it felt more fitting than ever to throw everything we’ve got at creating an unforgettable evening to thank all of our customers for their long and loyal support. Hopefully we did them proud!”

The Fleur De Lys is nestled in the picturesque village of Lowsonford on the banks of the Stratford Canal between winding roads which used to be part of The Forest of Arden. The garden boasts an acre of land and is also popular as a stop-off for canal users.

The Day of The Dead theme, for Halloween, could also be seen as a nod to one of the building’s former guises as a mortuary, from where the bodies were taken to Rowington Church in the absence of a village church. It wasn’t until the early 20th century when it first opened as a tavern, later going on to introduce the ‘pioneering’ idea of serving food and giving rise to the now famous Fleur De Lys pies.

The originator of the Gunpowder Plot, Robert Catesby, lived a stone’s throw away from The Fleur de Lys, in Bushwood Hall on Bushwood Lane. We always talk about Guy Fawkes, but it was actually Catesby’s plan to replace Protestant James I with a Catholic monarch.