JLS band member Oritse Williams has donated one of his very own baseball caps, signed by the man himself, and a postcard of the band signed by all four members of the group, to the West Oxfordshire MS Society in a bid to help them raise funds for the Branch. Oritse, whose mum has MS, became an ambassador for the MS Society when he shot to fame following his appearance on the X Factor. He has since helped to raise thousands of pounds for the Society by auctioning off some of his most prized possessions.

The West Oxfordshire Branch is in the process of organising its third annual Christmas Gift Fair, and this year wants to smash previous amounts raised. Organiser Tamsin Buchanan decided to seek help from Oritse, via the MS Society, and they were only too happy to help out. Tamsin, who was diagnosed with MS in 2005 and whose dad also suffers with MS, says – ‘I was delighted when I heard that we would be receiving some signed JLS goodies to raffle at our Gift Fair this year. I’m hoping these high profile prizes will help us to raise even more money than last year for this very worthy cause. The Branch has been a huge support to my Dad and many others who attend the weekly physio sessions, and other events, organised by Chairman Kathy Dunmore and the wonderful group of volunteers who give up their time to help out. It is also a great source of support for the carers of those with MS.’ She added ‘we have also been lucky enough to secure £ for £ Matched Fundraising from Barclays in the Community, and local businesses have also been very generous with donations for our raffle’.

This year’s Gift Fair is being held on Friday 2nd December, from 10am to 4:30pm, at the Langdale Hall in Witney. There will be a wonderful range of stalls to browse, many selling unique ‘not-on-the High-Street’ goods; massage, tombola, and of course the raffle with many fantastic prizes, plus Father Christmas will be popping in! Entry to the Gift Fair is free, and refreshments will be served all day with all proceeds going to the Branch.

For more information, or to buy your raffle tickets in advance, contact tamsinbuchanan@yahoo.co.uk or pop into Rapture in the Woolgate Centre where you can also purchase tickets for the raffle.

Based on information supplied by Tamsin Buchanan.