Oven cleaning boss has ‘timely idea’ to raise Severn Hospice funds

The hospice provides specialist care and support free of charge to families across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Mid Wales, who are living with an incurable illness

The boss of a Telford-based oven cleaning business will turn back time for clients to raise funds for Severn Hospice.

Andrew Bowcott of Ovenu Telford South plans to tackle an often-detested job in return for a minimum donation to the cause when the clocks go back an hour at the end of October.

The 42-year-old said: “The inspiration came from one of my clients after he mentioned he really disliked having to change his oven clock.

“Many people either completely forget or can’t recall which buttons to press and in what order – either that or they end up mistakenly setting the oven timer which invariably ends up going off at two in the morning!

“Modern ovens are increasingly hi-tech and, because it’s something we only do twice a year, it’s become a surprisingly frustrating task.”

Andrew is offering to visit a client’s home who lives in or around the Telford area on or around Sunday, 30 October, to reset their oven clock in return for a minimum donation of £5 via a JustGiving Page to the hospice.

Nicky Green, from the charity’s fundraising team, said: “We are hugely grateful to Andrew and his ongoing support means so much to us. We have to raise £2 for every £3 we spend on care and the kindness and generosity of our incredible supporters, supporters like Andrew, enables us to be there for local people when they need us most.”

Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director of Ovenu, said: “Andrew’s used to dealing with all makes and models of ovens so it should be a doddle for him, but it’s certainly a timely way of raising money for the hospice.”

In July 2020, Andrew handed over a total of £1,145 to Severn Hospice after pledging to donate 10 per cent from three months’ takings. He repeated the offer in 2021, this time raising an additional £500.

Andrew, who together with his wife Emma were widowed at a young age, added: “I just want to do what I can to support Severn Hospice and the marvellous work it does.”

To support Andrew’s cause visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Andrew-Bowcott.