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<![CDATA[]]> https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/ EN Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:21:00 +0200 Incomedia WebSite X5 Pro <![CDATA[Some recent thank you's]]> imblog

THANKS, WITH AN INVITATION FROM WYFOLD RDA

Please see note below :

Hi John

Back in January, Reading Rotary very generously donated towards our Wyfold Room refurb, after Tom and I visited you at the House of Flavors and told you all about our riding for the disabled group.

Thank you once again, for your generosity.

3 months later, the job is complete and we are celebrating with a grand opening on the 12^th of June at 1pm.

We wondered if you would like to come and celebrate with us. It will be a glass of something fizzy, some cake (RDA is fueled on cake), a ribbon cutting and we are hoping the Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Henley will be joining us along with local press

Do let me know how you are fixed as it would be a great opportunity to show you how your generous donation was spent!

Thanks

Diane

THANKS, AND AN INVITATION FROM PACT

Dear Janet

Please accept my thanks for my invitation to the Reading Rotary lunch on Tuesday. I received such a warm welcome and there were some great questions after my talk. I hope everyone found it interesting and informative.

If a group would like to visit Alana House, I would be very happy to make arrangements. The cafe is held on Thursday mornings from 10am-12pm. We could take a group of up to five people and it's a wonderful way to really get a feel for what we do.

All the best

Sarah

Sarah Hacker (she/her)

Community Fundraiser

THANKS, FROM READING KOREAN SCHOOL

Dear Janet,
I trust you are well.
Although I have already expressed our gratitude to Mr. L. Green, I wanted to officIally thank you and the Reading Rotary Club once again for your generous donation to our school.
We have decided to use the funds to purchase a smart device.

This will allow us to take official photos and record videos of our school events and lessons, while ensuring better security and strict compliance with GDPR regulations for our school members.

Thank you once again for your wonderful support and generosity.

Warm regards,

정경선

Sunny Chung

Head teacher of Reading Korean School

https://readingkoreanschool.co.uk/

]]> Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:21:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?some-recent-thank-you-s https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000023 <![CDATA[Youth team update]]> imblog

SHOEBOXES

Shoebox HQ said the warehouse was full until the 16000 were taken out to deliver to Moldova and that happened in March which made it possible to collect the 98 from Tim on April 1st.

The 98 comprised 40 from Amazon staff at Thames Valley Business Park and 58 from staff at The Circle Hospital. Both companies had initiated their involvement themselves but we collected the boxes from them and Tim secured them on a pallet for collecton.

This use of local company staff groups obviously has great potential but like all good ideas needs a volunteer to run with it. With our own 100 box filling project coming up after the Summer holidays, now is a perfect start time.

Anyone interested in learning more ?

103^rd READING SCOUTS – new HQ Kensington Road.

We have introduced the project to Reading Matins for their consideration and they have given 103^rd Leader Bob Spokes a Speaker slot this month - April. Reading Abbey are also looking at it but nothing else to report at the moment.

It is amazing what they have achieved so far with over £150,000 already invested in the build with an estimated £83,000 to go and this ignores what they might get from us in relation to the toilet block.

Around 80 youngsters attend their particular groups each week and another aspect that appeals is the involvement of a number of Dads, and no doubt some Mums, who turn out to get their hands dirty on site.

May the force be with them.

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:53:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?youth-team-update https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000009 <![CDATA[RRCP Awards 2026]]> imblog

READING KOREAN SCHOOL (£250)

This school teaches Korean language along with Korean culture and history to Korean families and multicultural families living in the UK. The school has been running in Reading for over 10 years. They hold regular events, including a music concerts, poetry recitals and book reading recitals. Through these activities, the children and young people gain confidence in expressing themselves and learn the value of caring and contributing to their community. They have established a strong and supportive community and proudly host an annual event to honour Korean War veterans. K Sunny Chung gave a presentation to the Club on 20^th January.

JOHN ALLEN CHARITY (£1000)

This charity was formed in the 1800s. They help families in hardship, supporting young people to access educational tools. They currently support young people with laptops, bus passes and uniform vouchers. They instill a Christian ethic in what they do. This award would enable them to provide 4 laptops or 2 annual bus passes or 10 uniform vouchers. Fiona Jones gave a presentation to the Club on 3^rd February.

READING BIKE HUB (£1000)

The Hub offers a range of services to make cycling more accessible and affordable in Reading. They provide refurbished bikes, skates and skateboards and free workshops for bike repairs to help people learn the skills they need to maintain their own bikes. They also provide a space for local creatives to display their art, participate in workshops and take up instruments through art walls, and instrument hire. Their premises are really large, and utility costs form a significant outlay, with electricity currently between £12-£20 a day. The Hub are looking to replace 150 fluorescent light bulbs in the unit, which could help reduce costs to £10 per day, saving over £300 each month. Kat Heath gave a presentation to the Club on 3^rd March.

GOLD DUST HUB (PROPOSED (£500)

Gold Dust Hub CIC is a Reading-based community organisation delivering Community Radio and our DJ & Broadcast Academy. They provide creative education, mentoring, and skills development opportunities for young people and underrepresented members of our community, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through hands-on workshops in DJing, broadcasting, media production and event delivery, they equip participants with practical skills, confidence, and pathways into employment, further education and entrepreneurship. Many of the young people they support face barriers such as low confidence, limited opportunities, or financial hardship. Award subject to lunchtime presentation / confirmation of how they would spend the money.

Roger

March 2026

]]> Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:06:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?rrcp-awards-2026 https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000A <![CDATA[Youth Team update, February 2026]]> imblog

DICTIONARIES

After a big hiccup last year when the future of this project seemed in doubt all is back on track and Amir is kindly continuing as leader.

Separately Amir will be making a bid to Council/Club for the estimated cost in 2026.

Note for newer members. In 2025 some 900+ dictionaries were delivered to 16 Reading Primary schools as leaving presets for Year pupils.

SHOEBOXES

The Shoebox project is very active and a lorry with 16,000 boxes on board was due to leave for Chisinau, the capital of Moldova this month . Chisinau is just 50k from Ukraine border so some of the benefiting families will be Ukrainian refugees and some may go over the border. We of course packed and sent 100 Shoeboxes to the HQ warehouse in Oldham last Autumn as usual and aim to do again this year. If any member or friends would like to send a personal box please let Jack know.

In December we were approached via our website by a group of local Amazon staff who wished to help and we supplied 40 boxes to them for which they paid. They filled the boxes and returned them to Tim. In February received an SOS call from Shoebox HQ to see if we could help with the return of 58 boxes filled by Circle Hospital staff. Jack collected the boxes and took to Tim who has packed them on a pallet with the 40 so that’s nearly 100 awaiting collection by HQ.

Maybe a volunteer member might rollout this plan to a couple more local companies?

Read more about the Shoebox scheme here>

103^rd Reading Scouts – new hut.

Hut is hardly the word to describe the new building in Kensington Road but is still progressing and getting closer to its final stage. Bob Spokes reckons less than £100,000 to go and that ignores the potential £10,000 we have in reserve. For newer members it is worth saying we have helped with professional advice and drawings from Matt, very special timber deals thanks to Simon and paint deals from Jack. Tim and Peter have also given valuable input.

As the final stage is in sight we are now helping them with introductions to charitable trusts and selected Rotary Clubs. Bob has been asked for a summary of what jobs/costs are outstanding to help with selling the project to potential donors and he has this in hand.

YMCA. Still on Youth Team agenda but nothing to report. The ball is in their court until we ask for an update late in year.

Life Education. Volunteer wanted for this. Carol and Jack have recently spoken to the Club about this project and we are waiting until March/April when the newly recruited Educator should be ready for action hopefully in the Reading area.

RYLA

Vicky remains lead on this project and reported that Council agreed to support two girl Guides to attend WINGS Jamboree 2026. RYLA has therefore been put on the back burner this year.

]]> Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:48:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?youth-team-update,-february-2026 https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000B <![CDATA[Faith Christian Group thank you]]> imblog

Dear Reading Rotary

Thank you very much for your kind donation to Faith Christian Group last year.

Your donation helped us to provide 18,000 meals, 7,500 food parcels as well as having over 10,000 shop visits through Readistreet, Readifood and Pantries in 2025.

We continue to develop and expand our services and have plans for voluntary health checks and cooking courses this year. Further details can be found on our website www.fcg.org.uk

You may wish to consider a regular contribution through our Business Club, please email me for further information.

We are also holding Quiz Night on Friday 20^th March 2026 at the Holiday Inn – please see attached flyer.

We hope that you will continue to support us in future.

Kind regards

Andy Dickens

Chief Executive Officer

Faith Christian Group

33 Boulton Road, Reading, RG2 0NH

Tel: 01189872672 / 07936845300

Email: ceo@fcg.org.uk

]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:41:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?faith-christian-group-thank-you https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000C <![CDATA[Santa Run Photos December 2025]]> imblog Our annual Santa Run held on 7th December 2025 in the grounds of the University of Reading was a great success.

Here are some of the photos....

Plenty more can be viewed and downloaded here>

]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:10:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?santa-run-photos-december-2025 https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000D <![CDATA[RRCP Awards 2025]]> imblog

2026 has started with some new requests for RRCP grants....

CAVERSHAM DISTRICT GUIDES - £1000

Caversham District Guides are fundraising to enable guides to attend WINGS 2026. WINGS is an International Guide and Scout Jamboree which takes place in Windsor Great Park in Berkshire. The event promises to take Guides outside of their comfort zone with a whole week of outdoor living, adventurous activities, new skills to learn and different cultures to experience, with participants coming from across the world. The participant cost for the event is £425/guide (though this is closer to £500 with transport and extras factored in). We will ask the guides or their Leader to speak to us with feedback, after the Jamboree event.

WYFOLD RIDING FOR THE DISABLED - £1000

Diane Lee and Tom O’Meara gave a lunchtime presentation to us at our meeting on 21st October. Wyfold Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is an independent local charity based at Wyfold Court, near Stoke Row and Peppard. Their mission is to offer therapeutic riding, carriage driving and ground-based pony interaction to children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities’. Each week, they support around 75 people through the dedicated work of over 80 volunteers. They were seeking support for their ongoing operational costs and some upcoming capital projects. The £1000 award is subject to it being used for capital expenditure and not running expenses. To this end, they have identified refurbishment of The Wyfold Room building, currently estimated at £55.3k.

SPIRE 2 WITLEY - £1000

Nina Bailey and Charlie Clare gave a lunchtime presentation to us at our meeting on the 18^th November. They were requesting an unspecified sum to purchase experiences for a silent auction. The auction is part of a wider fundraising activity to purchase two minibuses, enabling continued use by the 10 schools in Whitley. These minibuses provided enrichment opportunities for the children taking them to sporting fixtures, tutoring sessions. day trips and swimming lessons. The award of £1000 is subject to it going towards the capital cost of a minibus and not to experiences for the silent auction.

In 2025 the Rotary Club Community Project of the Rotary Club of Reading made the following financial awards to local charities and organisations totalling an amazing £20,600!

Amount Name of institution

£6,600 Rotary Club of Reading Benevolent Fund

£1,000 ABC to Read

£1,000 Activity Club for Children

£1,000 Adventure Dolphin

£1,000 Building for the Future

£1,000 Citizens Advice

£1,000 Dee Caf Community Cafe

£1,000 Faith Christian Group

£1,000 Greenways

£1,000 Greyfriars Church

£1,000 Mustard Tree Foundation

£1,000 Parents and Children Together

£1,000 Reading Civic Society

£1,000 Reading Refugee Support

£500 3rd Reading Boys Brigade

£500 Hope Counselling Service

]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:32:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?rrcp-awards-2025 https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000E <![CDATA[Hurricane Melissa]]> imblog Following the recent devastating Hurricane Melissa the Rotary Club of Reading agreed to help provide some emergency relief to the rural for the community of Sao Arriba in Holguin, Cuba. As you can see from the attached map showing the path taken by the hurricane through Cuba on Wednesday 29th October, Sao Arriba lies in one of the worst hit inland areas of the island.

Initially there was no news from the area as power and communications had been cut. From a GP in the provincial city of Holguin 20-odd miles to the west, we know how badly that city has have been hit and there are plenty of ‘Holguin’ video clips doing the rounds on Facebook, but Sao Arriba and most of the surrounding rural areas were essentially cut off.

Local reps in Holguin have been acquiring food and sanitary supplies to prepare a ‘first run’ of 100+ emergency relief supply parcels for families facing hardship as a result of Hurricane Melissa. The immediate focus is on families in low-lying areas to the south of the city where there has been severe flooding and storm damage. The cost in Sterling of the sums spent locally to date is c£1,750. Our reps in Holguin (Dr Rosel Torres and Reynold Teruel) are currently at the stage of packing & distributing the relief parcels.

Our ‘phase 1’ aim would be to increase the number of emergency relief parcels to 300 parcels for which we already have sufficient funding pledged.

Looking ahead, a phase 2 will involve expanding the scope of the project to aid the reconstruction effort at a village/community level. That will require further thought, local research and planning but we have in mind identifying one or more schools or community buildings in flood-affected areas which would benefit from Rotary support.

Additional Rotary funds could be allocated to phase 1 or phase 2 as Club approves.

A number of individual member donations, totalling £1,244, had been received. Members and others can still contribute via the Benevolent Fund Account. The club has agreed a significant contribution too.

December 2025 Update...

LETTER OF THANKS – HURRICANE MELISSA – ROTARY CLUB OF MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA

Thank you for your message and for your generosity. Please extend my appreciation to the Reading Rotary Club as well; the additional £1000 contribution will make a real difference for those affected by Melissa. We’ll look out for the credit over the coming weeks.

Your support means a great deal to us and to the communities we’re trying to help.

Wishing you a very happy Christmas, and thank you again for standing with us in this work.

Warm regards,
Antoinette

]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2025 12:44:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?hurricane-melissa https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000000F <![CDATA[News items]]> imblog

SHELTERBOX BRONZE PARTNER CLUB AWARD 2024/25

Certificate received via. Fiona Turner ( ShelterBox Rotary Engagement Officer)

INVITATION FROM LODDON VALE CLUB

Dear Club Secretaries,

Please could you circulate details of Loddon Vale's Prelude to Christmas to members of your club (poster attached). The event takes place on Tuesday 18th November, 7 for a 7.30pm start at Waingels College in Woodley. Tickets cost £8 and include tea/coffee and a mince pie. Proceeds will go to The Salvation Army and Sue Ryder. Tickets are available from Bill Soane: w.soane@ntlworld.com.

Many thanks

Best wishes

Melanie

INVITATION FROM DINGLEY’S PROMISE

Just a reminder of the Dingley’s Promise AGM on Tuesday 18^th November starting at 5pm. Please do let us know if you would like to attend:

This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our long-awaited new West Berkshire Centre in Spurcroft school and to celebrate the many developments within the charity through the last year.

Please reply to me, or secretary@dingley.org.uk to confirm your attendance.

We very much hope to see you there.

Best wishes,

Kate

Kate Martin

Head of Fundraising

Tel 07738 943 440

]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2025 10:49:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?news-items https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000010 <![CDATA[Supporting Reading Food Bank This Winter]]> imblog How the Rotary Club of Reading is partnering with local charities and volunteers to support the Reading Food Bank during the winter months.]]> Sat, 01 Nov 2025 09:34:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?supporting-reading-food-bank-this-winter https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000005 <![CDATA[Santa Run 2025]]> imblog

The Rotary Club of Reading
Christmas Charity Event

Prices held for 2025 - with Early Bird prices once again.

The Reading Santa Run will be on Sunday 7th December, by kind permission of The University of Reading.

5Km Timed Run, starting and finishing in ‘The Quad’.

There will be a 2Km course and an option of a shorter distance this is a Festive Event open to all!

Walk, jog or run – the choice is yours!

This event attracts hundreds of runners and families each year, with an interesting route through the University campus.
Once again we are raising funds for local charities – this year the club has chosen ‘No 5’ and ‘Berkshire Musicians Trust’.
Come and join in the festive fun; individually, as a family or as a team.

Use our event to raise money for a charity of your own choosing.

Children under the age of 5yrs are welcome to attend the event accompanied by a responsible adult. Under 5s will be able to take part in the 2k run/walk for free... we encourage them to come in their own festive outfits..

Entries will close midday Friday 5^th December.

For more details and entry forms please click here> or for a flier please click here>

]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:39:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?santa-run-2025 https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000011 <![CDATA[Youth Team updates]]> imblog

July 17th 2025, Youth Opps Update. For info and to highlight need for volunteers.

Dictionaries

We have been part of the Rotary Dictionary project since 2007/2008 and from modest beginnings with three schools to sixteen this year. The team, especially Amir, has done a great job over the last 9/10 years. Rotarian Colin Bryant who led the Rotary Dictionary project virtually from inception early in the 2000s with his wife Zoe has sadly passed away. At the moment it is doubtful if RIBI can find another leader, but Amir has some ideas that will be explored at a forthcoming Youth team Zoom meeting.

RYLA

Vicky works her socks off on this one and has secured a candidate for this year’s trip to Rhos Y Gwaliau. However, more candidates with economically and educationally diverse backgrounds are needed to benefit them from this Outward Bound type leadership course.

See https://rygoutdoor.co.uk/

YMCA

In the 90s and early 2000s we were very close to Reading YMCA, but it faded. In January 2020 we made an approach to reopen the relationship which was hampered immediately by Covid. In 2021 we helped with a grant of £4,800 to purchase kit for the IT training and Jack’s son in law Terry Pollard produced 20 used but good condition laptops from US IT company Veritas where he was a director. Later in 2023 Council and members approved a £20,000 grant primarily to help train young residents in IT matters and the training room would be renamed “Mikes Room” in his honour. We visited “Mike’s Room” in January 2024 and were received by General Manager Jayne Evanson who said she would report progress to us. Janet is currently organising a slot for Jayne to visit us as Guest Speaker.

We also commissioned the YM’s carpentry workshop to refurbish Caversham Rotary Club’s park bench on Christchurch Meadow which they presented to Reading Borough to mark Rotary’s Centenary in 2008. The Club no longer exists so led by Roger we paid for the job carried out by YM trainees.

Finally, great hot news is that Terry became a new Assoc member on Tuesday 15th July and has already joined the Youth Opps team and will liaise with Jayne to see where we might help with contacts, ideas, professional advice etc.

Shoeboxes

Last year we had great help from a wholesaler in Leeds who supplied most of the 900 items on a pallet direct to Tim and Vicky’s with a smaller number coming via Amazon. The latter route has been a challenge as it has meant multiple deliveries because of offer limits etc. The wholesaler is being unresponsive in spite of calls and emails.

Whitley Wood Playgroup - Mothers and toddlers reading group. See - https://reading.hubbub.net/p/WhitleyWoodPlaygroup/

In March 2024 the group was helped financially to reach its budget for April 2024/2025 and Elie Walker the Community leader came to speak to the Club last year. It was a project initiated by Reading Uni but intended to be run locally so not sure how long their involvement will last. Basically, the aim is to help young local mothers, in this poorest area of Reading, to encourage babies and toddlers to become interested in real books (pop up books for example) which should lead to stories and hopefully an interest in reading. Amir and Jack recently attended a seminar at Reading Uni that was devoted to this and similar initiatives. The reports were very positive and again underline evidence that children who engage early with books and reading are advantaged educationally and maintain that advantage at Primary School and at 11.

They are just about Ok for funding at the moment but might use RRC for advice, contacts, ideas etc.

Life Education

Life Education Wessex is part of Coram, one of the World’s oldest children’s charities. The next time you visit The British Museum do look into The Foundling Hospital which is just around the corner. Our Club has been involved since 2007 and has encouraged some 15 local primary schools, mostly in central Reading and Tilehurst, to participate. This often involved contributing to the cost of the visits.

There is some information on our website but basically the project provides specialist educators who visit primary schools and run proactive lessons on the basic skills of life. – health, hygiene, friendships, loneliness, bullying and the benefits and dangers of the internet. Covid put paid to such visits, but recent discussions confirm there is still an important role for Rotary in promoting the project.

We have arranged for Life Education’s Caroline Payne to visit the Club and Janet has fixed a slot in October so that Caroline can bring us up to date and to see how we might help further.

See www.lifeeducationwessex.org.uk

If you would like to learn more about the Yoth team or our club in general then please do get in touch with our membership secretary

]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2025 08:20:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?youth-team-updates https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000012 <![CDATA[Welcome from the President 2024–25]]> imblog An introduction from the current President of the Rotary Club of Reading, outlining this year’s theme, priorities, and how members and friends can get involved.]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:34:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?welcome-from-the-president-2024-25 https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000004 <![CDATA[Handover 2025]]> imblog

At our evening meeting at the end of June 2025 the outgoing President, Tim Metcalfe, hands over the chain of office to President Elect Dr Tony Cowling.

We wish Tony well and a very successful club presidency for 2025-2026

The Club was also delighted to bestow Paul Harris awards to Janet and Roger for their invaluable and long-standing contributions to Rotary and the club.

]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:16:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?handover-2025 https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000013 <![CDATA[Caen visit May 2025]]> imblog

The club had a great visit to our twinned club of Caen Abbaye in May.

The small group included our President Tim, Vicky, Matt and Elizabeth A, Nick H and partner Anne, David B, Bridget and Leslie.

Our visit included trips to Bayeux, Caen to celebrate the 1000yrs of the town and some sights of the DDay landing and English memorial.

Our hosts were extremely generous with their time provided us with wonderful food and wine in pleasant social settings.

On arrival...The Couque estate

Pont de Normandie

Dinner at Grossets

Anelia Cafe

Arromanches Cliff

Bayeux

Plus many more wonderful photos kindly shared by Leslie here>

More from our links to the Rotary club of Caen Abbeyes here>

]]> Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:49:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?caen-visit-may-2025 https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000014 <![CDATA[Rotary Youth Leadership Awards: Empowering Local Teens]]> imblog An overview of our Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) programme, featuring stories from local participants and how the scheme helps develop leadership skills.]]> Sun, 01 Jun 2025 08:34:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?rotary-youth-leadership-awards--empowering-local-teens https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000007 <![CDATA[Recent RRCP Awards]]> imblog

Reading Rotary Club is pleased to announce the following RRCP Award applications have been granted

ABC to Read (£1000)

An award of £1,000 from Reading Rotary would enable ABC to Read to recruit, train, and support five new volunteers.

These volunteers would each provide one-to-one reading support to three children, meaning 15 struggling young readers in Reading would directly benefit from improved literacy skills and increased confidence.

The funding would cover:

Recruitment and safeguarding checks for new volunteers
Initial and ongoing training to ensure volunteers are equipped to support children effectively
Resources such as books and literacy materials to use in sessions
Fieldworker support to ensure volunteers are well-placed, trained, and supported throughout their time with us.

Hope Counselling Service (£500)

Hope is a counselling service offering help and support to adults experiencing issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, bereavement, or other problems.

Hope provides affordable counselling for those unable to afford private fees.

A donation of £500 would provide money towards purchase of a laptop and back up hard drive needed for the office, and to set up a bursary fund.

3^rd Reading Boys Brigade (£500)

3^rd Reading Boys Brigade have qualified for the finals of the Boys Brigade ‘5 a Side’ finals to be held in Northern Ireland.

The Boys Brigade would like to take 10 boys aged 11-14 and 3 leaders to the event, without having to pass on the costs to the families.

Thumbs Up Club (£1,000)

This is an Activity Club for children with special needs. They provide activities outside school hours and over school holiday periods.

Currently they are helping 90 children and their families from the Woodley, Reading and local areas, and have 42 on the waiting list.

This money would subsidise 10 families over the holiday period.

We have also received the following thank you letters

LETTER OF THANKS FROM BOUNCE BACK 4 KIDS

We have had a thank you letter, which is attached. They have advised that they will produce a report in a year’s time to confirm how this funding was spent and the difference it made to children recovering from domestic abuse.

They have also advised that they would love to have a group from Reading Rotary visit their community café. It runs from 10am-12pm on Thursday mornings.

LETTER OF THANKS FROM LOOK DRAW BUILD

We have had some thanks from look Draw Build . I attach an RCS Newsletter Special covering Look Draw Build@Reading and Bristol Stations. It follows completion of the Reading leg of the project and leads into the Bristol leg in late April to June.

The exhibition in the Oracle Shopping Centre on 29 March was successful. They were visited by most of the station builders. Feedback from their parents was very much about how it engaged the kid’s interest, even those who usually don’t tell their parents about anything they do in class.

They have advised that they will do a specific report for the Rotary Club of Reading in due course, but hopefully this gives a feel of what is going on.

]]> Fri, 23 May 2025 05:57:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?recent-rrcp-awards https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000015 <![CDATA[Piano restoration update]]> imblog

Tony and a friend sanding the piano in Tim’s barn, getting it ready for the artwork.

It is hoped the piano will be installed in a public place for anyone to use, perhaps Reading station so do keep a lookout.

Well the piano has now been fully restored, appears to have been painted with a unique style and is now ready to be moved to a central location where, after tuning, members of the public can demonstrate their skills a nd others appreciate some wonderful music!

Finally the piano will be officially presented and open to the public at 3:00 p.m. on 24th April on the concourse at Reading Station. All welcome. The piano will be moved into position a day or two earlier and be professionally tuned. So if you fancy a chance to perform please turn up and enjoy.

The new addition, which was unveiled last week (Thursday 24^th April), is already proving a hit with passengers at the station, which is celebrating 185 years since it first opened its doors as a terminal for Brunel’s Great Western Railway in 1840.

The piano was donated to the Reading Library of Things by Highwood School in Woodley, but as the library don’t take musical instruments it was offered to The Rotary Club of Reading who agreed to take it. Their intention was to renovate it and repurpose it to be used as a ‘public piano’, offering a free and accessible way to play for the people of the town.

The piano was then fully-restored and given a fresh design named ‘The Musical Forest’ by Commando Jugendstil, a Solarpunk collective who also designed the mural for the Reading Hydro turbine house close to the station.

Bernadette Sachs, said: “We’d like to give a huge thanks to The Rotary Club of Reading for the donation of this beautiful piano, which we are delighted to have on the concourse at Reading station.

“We’ve seen how appreciated pianos at some of our managed stations in London have been by passengers and staff alike, and we hope this will help brighten people’s journeys at Reading for years to come.”

Reading Rotary Club quote: “We are delighted that the piano now resides in Reading station and that it has been such an instant success”

Wow! Shortly after the official opening of this piano the public were entertained with this amazing talented young person....

More photos...

At the beginning of July while passing through Reading Station I was delighted to see and hear someone enjoying the piano. Here is brief clip

]]> Sat, 17 May 2025 07:12:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?piano-restoration-update https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000016 <![CDATA[First aid training by Air Ambulance]]> imblog Members and friends of Reading Rotary club attended some wonderful first aid training that was excellently run by Brian from Thames Valley Air Ambulance. They learnt how to correctly carry out CPR and use a defibrillator. These are very valuable skills that may one day help to save someone's life.

Following the session, Ruth Dunkin, Head of Community & Events sent this thank you for attending our CPR Awareness session – Brian said it was great to meet you and thank you for your enthusiasm and brilliant questions!

I hope you’ve had a chance to look through the wallet card and will find it useful – the weblink it refers to can also be accessed via CPR Champions - Thames Valley Air Ambulance (tvairambulance.org.uk)

Of particular note is the Defib finder – find the defibrillators nearest you., and as mentioned a video of our Lucas device (automatic chest compressor) WHAT IS THE LUCAS DEVICE AND HOW DOES IT HELP PATIENTS? - Thames Valley Air Ambulance (tvairambulance.org.uk) along with some FAQ’s. The Youtube video’s are also shared at the bottom of this email – they are a bit of fun, but do deliver a really strong message.

Resus Council interactive video can be found at Lifesaver

You may remember completing a couple of confidence level questions when you signed up and then again in your on the day feedback form. I’m delighted to say that the confidence levels reported increased in both instances.

A certificate of attendance is available on request – so if you would like one please do let us know along with preference for email or postal copy.

If you have any additional feedback you would like to share that would help us improve these sessions or have any questions then please do get in touch cpr@tvairambulance.org.uk

We are delivering CPR Awareness sessions across the Thames Valley – if you are interested in booking one for a group you can do so at CPR Awareness - Thames Valley Air Ambulance (tvairambulance.org.uk) or drop us an email to discuss further. NB – there are some specific criteria detailed on the sign up page.

And finally…
We would like to share with you details of our events, services, appeals and how you can support our life-saving work. We will do this by writing to you. If you would prefer not to hear from us or wish to change the way you hear from us, please email info@tvairambulance.org.uk or call 0300 999 0135. To view our privacy policy please visit www.tvairambulance.org.uk/privacy-policy
You can also sign up to receive updates via our monthly e-newsletter https://www.tvairambulance.org.uk/newsletter

Kind regards
Ruth

Ruth Dunkin
Head of Community & Events

m: 07539 901258
e: ruth.dunkin@tvairambulance.org.uk

Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Stokenchurch House, Oxford Road, Stokenchurch, HP14 3SX
Reg Charity No: 1084910

]]> Fri, 28 Feb 2025 14:36:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?first-aid-training-by-air-ambulance https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000017 <![CDATA[Other local Rotary Club events]]> imblog

SATURDAY 22^nd FEBRUARY – ROTARY CLUB OF LODDEN VALE - RACE NIGHT

Dear fellow Rotarians

Join us for a fun evening at the races.

On Saturday 22nd February we are hosting a race night with 8 races shown on a large screen.

You will be able to bet on each race and have the opportunity to be the proud owner of a winning horse.

The evening will include a Fish & Chip supper, please bring your own drinks.

Start time 6.30pm for a 7pm start

Venue : 1st Woodley Scout Group HQ, The Close, Southlake Crescent, Woodley, RG5 3QL

Ticket Price £12.00.

Payment to: RCLV No 1 A/c

Sort code : 40-52-40

Acc No : 00014074

Please add ref : RN/ Name.

For any further details please contact Bill Soane, 07710 576427, email w.soane@ntlworld.com.

Kind regards

Bill Soane

SATURDAY 1^st MARCH – DINGLEY’S PROMISE – FUNDRAISING GALA

Step into a world of magic and wonder at the Dingley's Promise Annual Gala 2025!

Date: Saturday, 1st March 2025
Venue: Hilton Hotel, Reading

Join us for an enchanting evening where fairy tales come to life.

This year's theme is Once Upon A Time, blending the whimsical charm of Alice in Wonderland with the mystery of an enchanted forest.

Be prepared to immerse yourself in a storybook setting filled with surprises and magic at every turn.

What Wonders Await?
📖 A spellbinding evening with a three-course feast fit for royalty
🎩 Captivating entertainment straight from a fairy tale
🌟 Inspiring stories and special guests who bring magic to life
💎 A treasure-filled live auction to support our heroic cause

Secure Your Happily Ever After:
Tickets are £75 per guest, including a royal banquet and selected elixirs.

Gather your knights and dames—a table of 10 can be reserved for £700.

To express your interest in tickets, table bookings, or event sponsorship, please contact fundraising@dingley.org.uk and we can issue an invoice with bank details.

Don’t let the clock strike midnight before securing your place at this unforgettable evening. Together we will weave a tale of hope and transformation for children with SEND.

Warm wishes,
Kate

Head of Fundraising

Dingley’s Promise

Tel: 07388 943 440

THURSDAY 6^th MARCH – THE MAYOR OF READING - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY FUNDRAISER (SEE ATTACHED FLYER)

I write to tell you about the Mayor’s fundraising event being held to celebrate International Women’s Day. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women in our community. Funds raised will go towards the two charities I have chosen to support during my Mayoral term: Reading Community Learning centre (RCLC) and Reading Prostate Cancer Support Group.

The event is being held on Thursday 6^th March 2025 at 6.30pm at the Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH. Tickets for this event can be bought here.

I do hope you can help me to celebrate this special day and support two wonderful charities at the same time. Please feel free to share this information to your communities and partners.

Best wishes

Cllr Glenn Dennis

Mayor of Reading 2024-25

Reading Borough Council
Ground Floor, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU

01189 372071 (Internal ext 72071)

Email: mayor@reading.gov.uk

THURSDAY 3^rd APRIL – BERKSHIRE VISION – CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT HOSTED BY CHRIS TARRANT

Tickets selling fast!

Get ready for an evening of fun, laughter, and life-changing impact! We’re thrilled to invite you to our Charity Quiz Night, hosted by the legendary Chris Tarrant, on Thursday, 3rd April, at 7:30 PM at BrewDog Reading.
This is more than just a quiz – it’s a chance to come together and enjoy a fantastic night of friendly competition all in support of local sight loss charity Berkshire Vision.
Event Details:

· Venue: Upstairs at BrewDog, Reading

Time: 7:00 PM
Ticket Options:

£15: Includes a free drink and 1 raffle ticket
£30: Includes a free drink, 2 raffle tickets, and a £15 donation to Berkshire Vision

· Team Size: Up to 8 people per table

Why Your Support Matters:
For over 115 years, Berkshire Vision has been a lifeline for blind and visually impaired children and adults in our community. From emotional and practical support and life skills to social activities, adapted sports and assistance with equipment and technology, we empower people to regain confidence and independence after sight loss.
Every day, more people face the overwhelming challenge of losing their sight. By joining our quiz night, you’ll be helping to ensure we can continue offering life-changing support to those who need it most.
Exciting Extras:
Not only will you enjoy a thrilling quiz hosted by a TV icon, but there’s more! We’ll also be running a prize-packed raffle with incredible prizes to be won.
Secure Your Spot Today:
Seats are limited, so don’t wait! Click here to reserve your tickets and secure your table for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.
1 in 5 of us will experience sight loss, so help us make a real difference for those facing the challenges of sight loss. Thank you for your support – we can’t wait to see you there!
Warm regards,
Matthew Thomas
Fundraiser

]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:34:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?other-local-rotary-club-events https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000018 <![CDATA[SANTA RUN – CHARITY ‘THANK YOU’ LETERS']]> imblog Please find attached ’Thank you’ letters received from the two independent charity beneficiaries of our Santa Run: -

Thrive and
The Rainbow Trust.

]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2025 11:50:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?santa-run---charity---thank-you--leters- https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/000000019 <![CDATA[New Beginnings]]> imblog On Tuesday 26th November our club visited this young local charity where they were warmly greeted and given a tour of the facility followed by a convivial luncheon. You can read more about the amazing work of this charity here>

]]> Tue, 26 Nov 2024 18:29:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?new-beginnings https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000001A <![CDATA[BBC Children in Need 2024]]> imblog The club has recently supported the 2024 BBC Children in Need/Pudsey Bear Campaign ... Delivering items out to primary schools, so that they can sell the merchandise to raise funds for this brilliant national fundraiser.

Our president- Tim Metcalfe setting out to accompany 'Pudsey Bear' ( aka Simon Creffield) on his visits to local primary schools, many photo opportunities were taken with this now famous bear!!

Oh! I thought Pudsey was real!

Didn't realise Simon was so talented!

]]> Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:18:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?bbc-children-in-need-2024 https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000001B <![CDATA[Visit to MERL]]> imblog

Members of the club enjoyed a guided tour and lunch at the Museum of English Rural Life on 22^nd October 2024

]]> Fri, 25 Oct 2024 08:04:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?visit-to-merl https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000001C <![CDATA[Shoeboxes – Mission accomplished – or nearly]]> imblog

After the guided tour and lunch at the Museum of English Rural Life on 22^nd , President Tim, and members Roger, Simon, Janet, Graham, Tony, Richard and Jack packed 100 Shoeboxes with toiletries for families in and near Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, just 50k from the Ukrainian border. Shoeboxes UK can obviously no longer deliver direct into Ukraine. We sourced the items from an online wholesaler, Amazon and Morrisons at very competitive prices and should be under budget.

The pallet was loaded with 184 boxes which included 50 from Abbey Rotary, thanks to Greg Wilkinson’s initiative, 25 from 103^rd Reading Scouts and the remainder from individual members.

It was fun packing the boxes and hopefully a good result for the end user.

I hope the Club will agree funding in 2025

]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2024 09:01:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?shoeboxes---mission-accomplished---or-nearly https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000001D <![CDATA[Fellowship weekend in Salisbury]]> imblog A large group from the club together with their spouses, partners and some friends had an enjoyable weekend away in Salisbury. More details and pictures soon.

]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2024 08:58:00 GMT https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/?fellowship-weekend-in-salisbury https://www.readingrotary.co.uk/blog/rss/00000001E <![CDATA[RRCP Grant Awards]]> imblog The Rotary Club of Reading Community Project has recently awarded grants to the following charities:-

Faith Christian Group

£1,000 to open a new food pantry in Southcote.

The Charity priorities are:

A food pantry where members of the local community can come and chose food at reduced rates and connect with others in the café.
The café is free, so members chat between themselves but also with members of the Faith Christian Group, who can direct them to other partners for extra help.
The money would be instrumental in providing food to those who struggle financially and are often lonely and have additional pressures.

Reading Refugee Support Group

£1,000 to purchase a branded gazebo, to use at fundraising and awareness events.

Their existing gazebo needs replacing, and having a branded gazebo is essential for promoting their work and attracting funds.

The Charity priorities are:

Offering free legal services.
Running ‘Drop-in’ centres and services.
Re-settling families through the Government resettlement scheme.

Over the last year, the weekly ‘Drop in’ attracted a total of 1045 visits.

Citizen Advice Reading

£1.000 to assist with their Outreach Program.

The Charity priorities are:

To help people with the problems, by providing free, impartial , confidential, high-quality advice.
To campaign on the issues that they see affecting their clients.
To recruit and train local volunteers to help local people.

This service has helped 219 people since October 2023.

RRCP is currently considering the following additional requests:-

Green Ways

£1,000 to keep their Community Free Shop open, including covering rent whilst other funding is processed.

Sarah Snow from Green Ways gave a presentation at our lunchtime meeting on the 17^th of September

The Charity priorities are:

To reduce expenditure for all, reduce emissions and unnecessary travel costs and promote sharing of community resources, by the recycling of goods.
Running a free shop ‘Waste Not’ , based in Caversham, to receive and recycle unwanted items.

They support around 300 people a month (not unique visitors) with items from their shop.

Rahab

£1,000 to fund an outreach project in the Oxford Road/Western Elms area to identify and support sex workers.

The Charity priorities are:

To support women to break free from cycles of abuse, poverty, and addiction.
To decrease loneliness and isolation, reduce health and social inequalities and to support the women to have a voice in decision making.
This leads to empowerment to make positive choices, leading to a brighter and more hopeful future.

In 2023 Rahab supported 49 women and a similar number will benefit from the proposed project