A BOROUGH charity that gives grants to individuals, groups and charities, is sharing the season of goodwill with six other organisations.
As Christmas approaches these six local charities are preparing to deliver parties, lunch, hampers and gifts to people in need.
Each has been awarded a Christmas Cheer 2024 grant from Wokingham United Charities (WUC) to to support their collective mission to spread the spirit of Christmas.
CLASP, The Link Visiting Scheme, Kaleidoscopic UK, First Days Children’s Charity, The Cowshed, and The Grub Club have all received funds to help them alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with Christmas, and to make the season brighter for people who might otherwise struggle.
WUC charity manager Amy Garstang and office and grants administrator Susanna Jennings were delighted to be able to visit one of the groups to see for themselves how the money is being used.
Susanna said: “We popped down to see The Cowshed in Winnersh Triangle packing up their Christmas sacks of toys for children.
“It felt like we had stepped into a real life Santa’s Workshop.
“I was amazed at how many Christmas sacks they are producing for children in the borough.
“All the sacks are handmade and filled with gifts specially selected for each individual child by The Cowshed.
“I’m so pleased we visited them – it really brought what they were doing to life, and it was great to meet the team all working so hard behind the scenes to help make Christmas special for these families.”
Because of Christmas Cheer 2024, the six charities are able to provide for the people they work with.
CLASP, a self advocacy group for people with learning disabilities in the Wokingham borough, is organising a Christmas party for its members.
The Link Visiting Scheme, which supports older people at risk of isolation and loneliness, is arranging Christmas Day lunch for those who would otherwise be alone over the holiday.
Kaleidoscopic UK, a group for survivors of domestic abuse, will be filling Christmas hampers for survivor families, with festive goodies as well as basics, to help with the financial strain of the holiday period.
First Days Children’s Charity, which empowers families living with a low income, will be using their grant to buy Christmas gifts for teenagers.
The Cowshed helps people of all backgrounds in a time of personal crisis, and will also be using their Christmas cheer grant to stock up on children’s gifts.
Thanks to WUC The Grub Club, which supports families in the school holidays who access free school meals, is able to host a fun Christmas party.
The good news is that through the work of all these charities, and with support from Christmas Cheer 2024, people throughout the borough living with poverty, hardship or distress will be able to enjoy a better Christmas.
For information about WUC, and the grants it makes available, visit: wokinghamunitedcharities.org.uk
