Reading Family Aid
  • About Us
    • Meet the RFA Team
    • Our Supporters
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletters
    • Annual Reports
    • Policies & Procedures
  • Toys & Teens Appeal
    • Toys and Gifts we would love and those we can't use
  • How to Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Donate Toys & Gifts
    • Volunteer
  • Our Blog
  • 2025 Diary
  • Family Outings
  • About Us
    • Meet the RFA Team
    • Our Supporters
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletters
    • Annual Reports
    • Policies & Procedures
  • Toys & Teens Appeal
    • Toys and Gifts we would love and those we can't use
  • How to Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Donate Toys & Gifts
    • Volunteer
  • Our Blog
  • 2025 Diary
  • Family Outings
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Reading Family Aid goes back a long way...
The original idea came from a group of people helping young mothers at Katesgrove House in Reading in the 1950s. Click here to learn more about our early days. We became a registered charity in 1993.

RFA is staffed entirely by volunteers and run by a small committee. We don't employ any staff or maintain any premises, so we're able to keep our overheads to a minimum. We spend most of the money that we raise on our programme of activities for the children and families we support.


The Reading Family Aid Management Committee

Wendy Howell, Chair, Fundraiser & Trustee
I was born in Yorkshire and worked in local government and later in Liverpool as computer programmer. 
I married and eventually moved to Reading in 1996.
I always enjoyed fundraising and supporting charities through my church.
First helped RFA in 1997 and haven't looked back. I have been vice and chair in the past and now Chair again.
I love hands-on fundraising such as raffles and tombolas. I also enjoy reading, crafts, singing and family.​
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Laura Windisch, Secretary, Toy Project Manager & Trustee

I’ve lived in Reading for pretty much all of my adult life, since I became a student here in 1980. When I was about to retire from my 30+ year career in University admissions in 2019, I looked for a volunteering opportunity.  Having volunteered for the Toys and Teens appeal in the past, I was very happy to see that the post of Toys and Teens Appeal Project Manager was available.  The Appeal encompasses all that I love about living in Reading – people are so enthusiastic, generous and compassionate. I then became Secretary of Reading Family Aid in July 2020 and now fulfil both roles on the Committee.
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Anna Gilbert, Vice Chair, Publicity & Trustee
I joined Reading Family Aid’s Publicity team in 2023 after hearing about it from another committee member. I had time for voluntary work and was looking for something I could easily fit around my full time job and other activities.
I took on the Vice Chair role in 2024 and continue to look after the charity’s social media activity alongside this. Since joining I have also enjoyed helping with the Toys and Teens Appeal, plus some summer fetes and outings. It has been so heart-warming to receive feedback from the families who have directly benefitted from our Christmas gifts and outings. 
Outside of Reading Family Aid I work in university administration, and enjoy fibrecrafts, art and swimming in my spare time.​
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Sue Marson, Treasurer & Trustee
I have lived in Emmer Green for over 30 years . I have worked in NHS finance, and for many years as a school bursar. After retirement, I enjoyed part time employment in a local auction house.
I became interested in Reading Family Aid through a neighbour and I was pleased to be able to volunteer as Treasurer. I enjoyed seeing some of the activities and benefits provided for local families this summer and look forward to being involved in the Toys and Teens Appeal.
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The remainder of the Trustees and Committee

Just hover over the photo to find out who we are and what we do...
Jill Barker: General help
Vicky Bright: General Help
Carolyn Cheney: Toy Project
Paul Cooper: Publicity
Mia Niroshan: Outings
Charlie Mclean: Trustee Publicity Mgr
Celia Mullins: Toy Project Fundraising
Lauren O'Neill: Toy Project
Ruth Perkins: Fundraising Mgr, Toy Project
Valerie Samson: Fundraising
Vivienne Simpson: Outings Manager & Trustee
Jo Skidmore: Governance
Swati Sundar Technical Admin
Sallie Wall: Outings, Toy Project
Sheila Wright: Incoming emails, Toy Project

    



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