 A few weeks ago we learnt that a small group from BH&P had decided to take on a Tough Mudder in support of Reading Family Aid. Amazingly they all completed the course even though they discovered it was much harder that they had expected! They did it on Sunday May 11th at Culden Faw Estate near Henley. Despite the lack of rain they managed to find plenty of mud! There is still time to sponsor them here.  Claus Larsen, Creative Director at BH&P said "After months of talking and not much training, the BH&P team finally hit the Tough Mudder course. It was tougher (and muddier) than expected—but way more fun too. From Block Ness Monster to Devil’s Beard, we tackled every obstacle as a team, left no one behind, and might just be crazy enough to do it again next year.
 On Sunday April 27th Ruth, our Fundraising Mgr attended the Annual Parish Committee Meeting at St Andrew's in Caversham and told them about the work of Reading Family Aid. St. Andrew'a kindly adopted Reading Family Aid as their charity of the year and have and will involve them in several of their activities during the year. There was the Autumn Tea Party last November where they raised £1200 for us, the Annual Parish meeting, a Mother's Union meeting in June and later in the month the Summer Tea Party. In October, the proceeds of the Thursday cafe will come to us too. We are very grateful for all their support.  In her talk, Ruth described the situation that many families in the Reading area are finding them selves in, many becoming homeless and having to live for months in one room of a hotel. A recent analysis of the situation in Reading's Museum exhibition called "Reading's DIGITAL Revolution" looked at how the arrival of high tech industries into the town has brought wealth to some but not all said: "The economic impact of Reading's high tech success hasn't been shared evenly across town. Despite being home to some of the world's biggest technology names - and the investment it brings - Reading has some of England's most deprived neighbourhoods. Reading has the highest proportion of children eligible for free school meals in Berkshire. Government statistics show that those receiving free school meal support achieve lower GCSE grades. This is an economic, as well as a social issue for Reading. A lack of qualified and skilled young people means firms are missing out on a more diverse local workforce. " The report went on to suggest that this might ultimately mean the departure of the high tech industries either because of their inability to hire staff or because the town cannot meet the education and healthcare needs of their employees due to the public sector also having difficulties in recruiting.  The talk was followed by a lively question and answer session where Ruth was able to elaborate on many points and explain why Reading Family Aid's motto of "Putting Smiles on Children's Faces" was so imprtant, not just to the children, but to the whole family.
 This Easter Reading Family Aid provided Easter Eggs to children that were involved in the Participation Events run by Brighter Futures for Children in Reading during the recent Easter holidays.  The eggs were much appreciated and Francesca Hubbard, Participation Officer at Brighter Futures for Children said "Thank you to Reading Family Aid who donated Easter eggs for all young people that attended the Participation events over the Easter holidays. The Children in Care and Care Leavers say thank you and they enjoyed their eggs."
She added "I have also asked for a thanks to be in our staff communications to share the great work you do. Many Thanks."  Ongoing supporters of Reading Family Aid, Reading based creative marketing company BH&P, are endeavouring to complete a 5k muddy run over a number of horrendous sounding obstacles in the Tough Mudder run on Sunday May 11th.  You can sponsor them here. Every donation will spur them on to take one more step or get them over one more obstacle!  Hasan Mian from BH&P said "Why? Because we're raising funds for Reading Family Aid, a local charity doing amazing work for disadvantaged children and families across Reading. From giving kids presents at Christmas, to helping families escape tough times with amazing days out - they're making a real difference. And we want to back them all the way.". Click here to support them and raise money for Reading Family Aid to continue their work.
On Saturday April 12th The Small Strings Ukulele Band performed at The Club at Mapledurham in a fundraising event for Reading Family Aid.
It was a fun filled evening with great music enjoyed by well over 100 attendees who all seemed to have a good time.
Fundraising Manager Ruth Perkins compered the night explaining the work of Reading Family Aid and introducing the Band.
Wendy Howell, our Chair, thanked everyone for coming and supporting us so generously. 
We'd like to thank everyone who came and made it such a great evening and for buying so many raffle tickets, having so many goes on our Wheel of Fortune and participating in the Heads and Tails games.
Between these activities and the ticket sales a grand total of £2282.15 was raised! Yay! 
Small Strings performed for free and Mapledurham donated the use of the venue for free, as well as a couple of raffle prizes. We would like to extend huge thanks to both of them without which the evening would not have been possible.
We'd also like to thank various local business that donated raffle prizes:
Here are a couple of videos of the band and some enthusiastic dancing!
 On Wednesday 9th April families from the Weller Centre, Fifi’s Vision CIC and Home Start Reading joined the Reading Family Aid Outing coach outing to Odds Farm. One mum said ""I cannot thank you enough for today, we definitely needed to get out the four walls of home. You won't ever know how much this means to us as a family"  We were blessed with a glorious sunny day which meant that everyone could enjoy all the farm had to offer. Fifi's Vision said "I cannot thank you, Reading Family Aid enough. Being able to provide Fifi's Vision CIC families such wonderful opportunities to access days out knowing they will have my support and support from other families on the day physically and emotionally but also not having to worry about transport or financial demands to access these experiences takes a big pressure of everyone, it really has such a huge positive impact. Families have such a sense of belonging breaking the cycle of isolation and loneliness being seen, thought of and included especially with such a kind gesture from Reading Family Aid. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
 There was so much to see and do but the 4.5 hours we were there gave everyone ample opportunity to go on a tractor ride, play on in the playground, take part in an Easter egg hunt, watch a show, enjoy a picnic and so much more. As we saw everyone back onto the coach we saw some very happy but tired children and families. We guessed at who would fall asleep first with sweet dreams of a wonderful day at the farm.  Over the winter months Berkshire County Indoor Bowls Association hold many matches against other clubs around the country and at each match they fundraise for their chosen charity. This year's President, Brian Jacobs, chose Reading Family Aid as the Club's charity to support  On Friday March 28th Brian presented a cheque for £875 to Reading Family Aid's Fundraising Mgr, Ruth Perkins.
Many thank to Brian and all the members of Berkshire County Indoor Bowls Association for their fantastic efforts and generosity in raising so much money for Reading Family Aid.  Here she is all set for the off! On a day which was neither warm, cold, wet or sunny - perfect running weather - our Publicity Manager , Charlie ran the Reading Half Marathon in aid of Reading Family Aid.  Here she is looking surprisingly fresh and relaxed having crossed the finish line. She cruised along all 13 miles and a bit recording a very respectable time of just over the 2hrs and in so doing raised £410 for us. Well done Charlie! Thanks not only to Charlie but to all those that have sponsored her. If you would like to support Charlie, you can still do so on her fundraising page.  And showing off her medal!  On the evening of January 31st the Reading Family Aid committee together with some of our regular key volunteers met at the Loddon Brewery in Dunsdon Green to celebrate another successful Toys and Teens project. We had an excellent (self funded!) meal provided by resident chefs James and Nic from Properkitchen.  Wendy our Chair, thanked everyone for their hard work and contribution to the project. Thanks to the generous donations of the people, businesses, schools and places of worship in Reading and surrounding area as well as all the volunteers and our main sponsors, we provided a good selection of gifts to each of 2509 children, most of whom would otherwise have been unlikely to have received anything on Christmas morning.  For information about this year's Appeal, have a look at our Toys and Teens page.
 On Sunday 23rd March our Publicity Mgr, Charlie is running the Reading Half Marathon in aid of Reading Family Aid. Please do sponsor her – the more £s pledged the easier the miles will be! Click here to see her page and to donate.
And if you would like to join her in running for us there are still places to be had – checkout the Reading Half Marathon website and do let us know! |
Our blogThis is where we share our news and inspiring stories of how people have supported us. Read previous newsletters here.
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