City Sightseeing Oxford treats local widowed community

CITY Sightseeing Oxford provided a special open-top bus tour to give Widowed and Young’s Oxfordshire Big Picnic guests an extra boost this year.

More than 20 members of the charity Widowed and Young gathered for the annual picnic event in support of Oxfordshire’s widowed community. This year was an extra special event, thanks to the support of Oxford Bus Company, which provided a complimentary tour of the city to the group.

It added its support after City Sightseeing Oxford tour guide and Widowed and Young co-ordinator, Martin Eggleston asked if it could help make the day extra memorable.

Mr Eggleston has tragically been widowed twice in seven years and has been supported by Widowed and Young, which is the only national charity in the UK for widows aged 50 or under. It provides peer-to-peer support groups, impacting the lives of more than 4,600 widows.

Martin said:

“Widowed and Young has provided support to me and my family as well as countless others. It’s more than just an organisation; it’s a lifeline, fostering a community that helps thousands adjust to the loss of a life partner.”

Members of the charity and their loved ones were treated to an open-top-bus-tour before enjoying the picnic in Christ Church Meadow on Sunday.

Martin added:

“It was brilliant to see so many people come together to share their experiences, with lots of new people attending.

“Touring members around on the City Sightseeing Bus was the perfect way to kick off the afternoon, and we’re so grateful to Oxford Bus Company for such fantastic support.”

While Widowed & Young often runs events exclusively for widows and widowers, the big picnic is open for all friends and family who have a strong connection to widows and widowers in their lives.

Martin continued:

“While it may seem intimidating to newcomers, the picnic is always a fun and welcoming experience to all, where widowed individuals and their loved ones can make new lifelong friends.

“Widows are resilient and understand the joy of life, even when a life has been taken away from them.

“We aren’t the only ones affected by the loss of a loved one, children or parents can be impacted too. That is why it is crucial to spread awareness and provide a platform for members to invite friends, family, and supporters, introducing them to the charity’s ever-growing support network.

“Every widow’s journey through grief is unique, shaped by various circumstances. Loss may be anticipated in some cases, but in other scenarios it arrives suddenly, highlighting the importance of spreading awareness for these big picnics, where widows and their loved ones can grow stronger in sharing their diverse experiences.”

Luke Marion, City Sightseeing Oxford Managing Director, said:

“We are proud to have been able to support a special event in our community that helps so many people like our colleague Martin.

“It is inspiring to see people overcome such challenging life events, and we are pleased to have been able to help make this year’s big picnic a day to remember as part of our community values.”

Owned by Oxford Bus Company, City Sightseeing Oxford’s hop-on, hop-off bus tours of the city’s most famous landmarks have audio commentary in 14 languages.

It operates the visitor information point on the High Street, providing information on everything there is to see and do in the city and the greater Oxfordshire area. It supplies travel timetables, maps, and books. Plus, discounted tickets for attractions, gifts, and souvenirs. It also delivers private group walking tours that run throughout the year.