Cowley Road business smashes fundraising target after month of events

A Cowley Road business has flown past its fundraising target for Parkinson's UK after a month of events.

JoJo’s Café Bar exceeded its target of £1,500 in April, reaching a total of £5,021 in just four weeks.

Having been diagnosed with Parkinson's, Jonathan Corp, co-owner of JoJo's, is passionate about raising awareness and funds for research into the disease.

The month of fundraisers ended with a quiz night and a raffle draw on Monday (April 29).

JoJo’s Café Bar owners Jonathan and Josephine Corp (Image: JoJo’s Café Bar)

The total includes £750 raised by students from Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University on behalf of JoJo’s.

Following the quiz and raffle, an impromptu auction brought in another £650 in 15 minutes.

Mr Corp said: "Whilst we are absolutely thrilled to have raised so much money, this story is more than that and my Parkinson’s.

"Over half the monies raised came from our online raffle and the only reason we sold all 1,150 tickets was down to the heroes of Cowley Road and beyond.

"Many of these businesses are hospitality based and finding trading tough and yet these heroes have shown a generosity of spirit I have not experienced before.

The quiz night at JoJo’s Café Bar (Image: JoJo’s Café Bar)

"We are truly humbled by their support and the kind words on discovering about my diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

"We began our raffle with eight prizes and ended up with over 50 which made the raffle such a talking point on social media and with our guests.

"If it were not for the heroes who donated some amazing prizes, we would not have been able to have sold so many tickets."

His partner and fellow co-owner Josephine Corp is a pharmacist and shares a similar passion.

On World Parkinson’s Day, she organised a cake sale at Brett’s Pharmacy in Grove which raised more than £350.

The money was split between Parkinson's UK and Parkinson's Me in Wantage.

JoJo’s Café Bar (Image: JoJo’s Café Bar)

After the quiz night sold out within 72 hours of the date being published, JoJo’s are set to hold another on Wednesday, June 5, which will again cost £5 per person.

There are also fortnightly Thursday jamming sessions, where up-and-coming musicians are encouraged to play with others.

The next event will be held on Thursday May 2, with the following session on May 16.

With no current cure available and approximately 145,000 people in the UK affected, Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world.

Every hour results in two more diagnoses, with more than 40 symptoms ranging from tremor and pain to anxiety.

To find out how to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK visit the charity's website.