The congregation of St Andrew's Church in Caversham Heights have chosen Reading Family Aid as their charity for the 2024/25 year.
They launched this year's fundraising on Saturday 17th November with a tea party.

Shelley Montague, Church Warden said "​St Andrew's Church Autumn Tea Party was well supported and raised overall around £1,700, of which £1,200 will be given to the church's chosen charity, Reading Family Aid, with the remainder going to support St Andrew's Preschool.
The members of the congregation chose Reading Family Aid as their charity of the year because it is a local charity supporting local families, endeavouring to fulfil some of the needs not being met by others."

Vivienne and Sheila from Reading Family Aid attended the event and had a stall giving out information about the charity to the attendees. Vivienne gave a short talk about Reading Family Aid and thanked everyone for choosing us.

Reading is widely regarded as an affluent, successful tech hub, but for some families, the reality is starkly different. This winter, many parents face the heartbreaking choice between heating their homes or feeding their families. For these families, buying Christmas presents is completely out of the question.
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​​And this is where Reading Family Aid’s Toys and Teens Appeal aims to help. The appeal, sponsored by The Chronicle, collects new and nearly new toys and distributes them to families across Reading and the surrounding areas in time for Christmas. Charlie McLean, Publicity Manager for the charity, said “I have two young boys and I can’t imagine having to tell them that Santa hasn’t come this year. Christmas is a magical time in our family, and to have to explain to them they wouldn’t be getting any presents would be devastating. This appeal is so important, bringing a little joy to the lives of families who are truly struggling”.

This year, the Toys and Teens Appeal has received generous sponsorship from local radio station B Radio. Gavin Harris from the station explained: “For our team, this appeal is incredibly personal. Many of our presenters and producers live in Reading and see firsthand the struggles many families are facing. Living in an area where the cost of living is high, it's easy for these challenges to be overlooked, especially as the wealthier parts of Reading can mask the financial pressures so many face. For our team, supporting this goes beyond our roles at the station—it's about giving back to our neighbours and friends and doing what we can to make a difference for families in need this Christmas. For the children receiving these gifts, it’s about much more than a present—it's a reminder that the community cares about them, and it's a chance for them to experience the magic of the season despite the challenges their families might be facing”.

​In 2023, the appeal brought smiles to the faces of 2,500 children across Reading by providing them with toys and gifts. This year, the goal is to surpass that number—but your help is crucial to making it happen. Donations of new and nearly new toys can be dropped off at designated collection points around town. These gifts will go directly to children referred by social workers, charities, schools, and places of worship working with families in need.
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​Every single donation counts. Whether it’s an artistic gift set, an exciting game, or an engrossing book, each gift has the potential to create lasting memories and spread hope. If you’re unsure of what to buy, the charity’s wishlist is a great place to start, or you can donate directly to the Go Fund Me page.

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​One challenge the appeal faced last year was a shortage of gifts for teenagers aged 13 and over. This age group is often overlooked during the holiday season. Supporters are encouraged to consider donating items like board games, makeup kits, art sets, or gift cards to ensure no teenager feels left out.

​Join us this holiday season to make a tangible difference in our community. Your generosity is vital in ensuring that every child in Reading experiences the magic of Christmas. Together, we can create a community where no child wakes up without a present on Christmas morning.

For more information on donation points or how you can help, please visit our website or follow us on social media. Let’s work together to make this Christmas unforgettable!

​Reading Family Aid’s Toys and Teens Appeal is back for 2024! Sponsored by The Chronicle, we are calling upon the generosity of the residents of Reading and the surrounding areas to help make this Christmas special for disadvantaged children and teens. The appeal aims to collect toys and gifts for children who, without our collective efforts, might go without a single present this holiday season.

Members of the charity have outlined the dire conditions family are living in and why donating to the appeal is so important.  Ruth Perkins, Head of Fundraising said “I visited a family to drop off some toys and was welcomed into their tiny flat. The floor was concrete, there was no furniture, no fridge, no washing machine, just a mattress propped up against a wall. Their little boy had no toys at all, he was just playing with a cardboard box.” When Ruth gave the mum the new toys she had for her child she burst into tears.

​Ruth said “It’s people like this we do this appeal for. To bring a little bit of joy to their lives. The last thing she should have to worry about is how she can afford a present for her child at Christmas”.

​How You Can Help
Last year, thanks to the generosity of the community and our sponsors, the Toys and Teens Appeal successfully provided gifts to over 2,500 children in Reading. This year, we aim to surpass that number, but we need your help to do so.

​You can drop off new and nearly new toys at donation points across Reading. These gifts will be distributed to children and teenagers referred by social workers, charities, schools, and places of worship who work closely with families in need. Your contribution—whether it’s a toy, a game, or a book—helps ensure that every child has something to look forward to this Christmas.

​​Many businesses supporting the appeal have found that organising a gift collection box in their reception area is an effective way to gather donations. For larger collections, Reading Family Aid is happy to arrange direct pickup from offices in Reading and the surrounding areas.

​Special Appeal for Teenagers
In response to last year’s challenges in gathering enough gifts for teenagers aged 13 and over, the charity encourages supporters to consider this age group when donating. Suggested gifts include: board games, art kits, sports gear, makeup sets, or gift cards. Teenagers are often overlooked during the holiday season, so your thoughtful donations will make a real difference in their lives.

Join us in making a tangible difference this Christmas. Your donations, whether big or small, will help create lasting memories for children in Reading. Visit our website or follow us on social media to find out where you can drop off your donations or how you can contribute financially to the appeal. Please take a look at the charity’s wishlist, or consider donating to the Go Fund Me.

​Together, we can ensure that no child goes without on Christmas morning. Thank you for your continued support, and let's make this a Christmas to remember!

​On a couple of chilly and misty days at the end of Half Term, Reading Family Aid organised outings for families and young people that attend the Grassrootz Youth Clubs in Reading. These were set up by Kelvin Husbands a few years ago when his children and their friends were complaining they had nowhere to go. The trips were arranged in conjunction with Berkshire’s Freemasons who paid for the coaches and Kelvin who funded the tickets elsewhere. 

​​The excited groups, that together numbered over two hundred children plus helpers gathered at various departure points in Reading. The coaches were waved off on both days by representatives of Berkshires Freemasons, Reading Family Aid and the Grassrootz Charities.

​​Mark Heppelthwaite, the Deputy Leader of Berkshire Freemasons said, “Despite the chilly weather, the children were beaming with excitement and joy at where they were going.  It’s a privilege to be able to make this happen for them.”

​​Ruth Perkins of Reading Family Aid said, “We’re so grateful for the support given to the children we help by the Berkshire Freemasons.  We really didn’t imagine them be quite so supportive this year and it’s a delight to see the children so happy.”

Kelvin Husbands said “We are extremely grateful to Berkshire Freemasons and Reading Family Aid for providing the young people who attend Grassrootz the opportunity to take part in two exciting trips. We are so fortunate to have these coaches provided for us which enabled us to make sure over 200 children and young people were able to enjoy Thorpe Park and Chessington. When the young people are deciding what trips, they would like to attend they are blown away at the cost of entry and coaches and being able to remove that stumbling block is such a weight off the shoulder of the parents and volunteers.

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​​The coaches also provide a safety element for the day not having to rely on public transport and allowing parents who are working the opportunity to allow their child(ren) to still attend knowing their child(ren) will be safe.”

Kelvin added “The trips were a huge success with so much fun and laughter and scares, for so many it was their first time to a theme park, and it will forever be a great memory for them.

​​New friendships were made as young people from all regions of Reading from over 10 different secondary schools had to integrate to become one big family for the day.

Reading Family Aid is thrilled to once again launch the Toys and Teens Appeal, with the generous support of local businesses and community leaders. In partnership with The Reading Chronicle, we are calling upon the kind-hearted residents of Reading and the surrounding areas to help make this Christmas special for disadvantaged children and teens. The appeal aims to collect toys and gifts for children who, without our collective efforts, might go without a single present this holiday season.

We are especially grateful to the sponsors and companies who make this vital initiative possible. Their unwavering support ensures that every donation goes directly to children in need, helping to bring joy and warmth to families facing difficult circumstances.

​The Berkshire Freemasons: A Longstanding Partner in Giving 
​​For the past seven years, the Berkshire Freemasons have been a cornerstone of the Toys and Teens Appeal. Their commitment to the community and support for this cause is truly invaluable. Mark Heppelthwaite, Deputy Leader of Berkshire’s Freemasons, said: “I remember when a child we supported requested, as a gift for Christmas, some shower gel and deodorant. It was heartbreaking to realize that something so basic, which we often take for granted, was something she lacked.”
​Mark continued, “The Freemasons are deeply embedded in the communities where we live. This toy appeal allows us to directly help vulnerable children by providing them with gifts they would otherwise not receive. It’s hard to imagine a child waking up on Christmas morning with nothing. We are proud to help change that.”

​​Big Yellow Self Storage: A Community-Focused Partnership
​​​The team at Big Yellow Self Storage has also been a dedicated partner in this appeal for many years. Karl Nixon, Assistant Store Manager, explained, “We all feel the appeal is hugely important and positive especially in the tougher climate these days for children and families at Christmas. I feel the appeal will make a huge positive difference to children, as no child deserves to not have an enjoyable Christmas”. 

How You Can Help
Last year, thanks to the generosity of the community and our sponsors, the Toys and Teens Appeal successfully provided gifts to over 2,500 children in Reading. Each child received at least four items, including two main presents, one smaller gift, and a book. This year, we aim to surpass that number, but we need your help to do so.

You can drop off new and nearly new toys at donation points across Reading. These gifts will be distributed to children and teenagers referred by social workers, charities, schools, and places of worship who work closely with families in need. Your contribution—whether it’s a toy, a game, or a book—helps ensure that every child has something to look forward to this Christmas.

From December 8th, all collected donations will be sorted and packed at a local church hall before being distributed to the organisations supporting children in need. This collaborative effort ensures that no child misses out on the magic of Christmas.
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Special Appeal for Teenagers
In response to last year’s challenges in gathering enough gifts for teenagers aged 13 and over, the charity encourages supporters to consider this age group when donating. Suggested gifts include: board games, art kits, sports gear, makeup sets, or gift cards. Teenagers are often overlooked during the holiday season, so your thoughtful donations will make a real difference in their lives.

Make a Difference
This Christmas We want to express our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, including Berkshire Freemasons and Big Yellow, whose generosity makes the Toys and Teens Appeal a success year after year. Without their support, this vital initiative wouldn’t be possible. Together, we are ensuring that Christmas morning will be a little brighter for the children and families in our community.

Join us in making a tangible difference this Christmas. Your donations, whether big or small, will help create lasting memories for children in Reading. Visit our website or follow us on social media to find out where you can drop off your donations or how you can contribute financially to the appeal. Please take a look at the charity’s wishlist, or consider donating to the Go Fund Me.

Together, we can ensure that no child goes without on Christmas morning. Thank you for your continued support, and let's make this a Christmas to remember!

Join us this holiday season in making a tangible difference. Your support is vital to ensuring that every child in Reading experiences the magic of Christmas. Together, let’s create a community where no child goes without on Christmas morning. For donation points and more information on how you can help, please visit our website or follow us on social media. Let’s make this a Christmas to remember!

Pears Foundation is a family foundation driven by a desire to demonstrate the good that philanthropy can achieve in the world. We fund across a broad range of organisations and causes, building long-term partnerships based on trust, learning and flexibility. 
The Pears family has given more than £450m to charity since the Foundation was established. 

Pears Foundation’s Christmas Gifts are our way of marking the festive season in a spirit of generosity and appreciation for the incredible work of local charities.
Each year the Foundation’s trustees identify a number of small, community-based organisations to receive a surprise seasonal boost of unrestricted funding.
This year we have gone back to the original inspiration for our Christmas Gifts programme and are donating a total of £150,000 to 20 organisations across the UK that provide presents or Christmas activities for disadvantaged children and families.

We were very excited and astonished to receive this award, completely out of the blue. We have decided to spend the money on sensory gifts for children this Christmas. The children that will benefit from these specialised items have some sort of disability and this year we have a significantly increased number of these. We and the children that will benefit are extremely grateful to the Pears Foundation for this fantastic amount of money.

In 2024, shockingly, child poverty remains a significant issue in Reading, with 25% of children living below the poverty line. This represents a substantial portion of families who are struggling to provide their children with basic necessities including food, clothing, and even heating their homes.

For Reading, specifically, estimates suggest that over 8,000 children are growing up in poverty. In a classroom of 30 children, this means approximately 7-9 children. These figures highlight the stark reality for many families, where basic necessities often take precedence over luxuries, leaving little room for joy during the festive season.

In response to this urgent need, Reading Family Aid is proud to announce the launch of the Toys and Teens Appeal once again this year. The Chronicle and Reading Family Aid are calling upon the generous residents of Reading, and its surrounding areas, to help us bring smiles to the faces of disadvantaged children this Christmas. The appeal aims to collect toys and gifts for those children who, without our support, may not receive any presents during the holiday season.

Last year, the appeal successfully provided toys and gifts to 2,500 children in Reading, ensuring that each child received at least four items—a combination of two main presents, one smaller gift, and a book. This year, we hope to surpass that number, but we need your help to do so. All new and nearly new donations will be received at various donation points around town and will go directly to children referred by social workers, charities, schools, and places of worship that work closely with families in need.

On Monday 28th October our Chair, Wendy Howell, attended a meeting of the Thames Valley Flower Club.
The Club which is based in Calcot, has been fundraising for us for the past 2 years. They raise funds through raffles, book sales, flower arranging competitions, coffee mornings and donations. 
​Last year they donated £600 and this year Wendy was presented with a cheque by Sheila Bryant, a Committee Member, for a fantastic £700!
Many thanks to all the members that have contributed.