WHEN she reached her 90th birthday, a Wokingham resident decided that her special milestone should be more than just a celebration of years.
The lady, who prefers to remain anonymous, took it as an opportunity to raise money for Thames Valley Air Ambulance.
She held a celebratory concert at Wokingham Methodist Church, where she is a member of the congregation.
The event featured music from the Arborfield Military Wives Choir, and raised over £900 for her chosen charity.
More than 120 people came, many of them members of the church, and their guests.
“It went very well, better even than I could have hoped,” the host said.
“I am the first in my family to have reached 90, and I thought it would be nice to share it with others.
“I heard the Arborfield Miliary Wives Choir singing at a Christmas event at Henry Street Garden Centre.
“And on the spur of the moment I decided that I would like to ask them to provide the entertainment at my buffet party.”
A hymn began and ended the concert, with the rest of the material being songs from the shows.
“I lost my husband at the start of the pandemic,” she added.
“We used to love the musicals, so I really enjoyed the music.”
Asked whether she wanted presents, she said ‘no’, and asked people instead to make small donations to Thames Valley Air Ambulance.
The day after the event, she counted the collection.
“I was amazed to see £880 in the pot,” she said.
“And after a couple of further donations it amounted to £930.
“I never thought I would raise that much.”
“Many of those who came were in their 80s, and they all dug deep.
“I felt it was really heart warming how open-handed those in our church are, and how willing to support a good cause.”
The community-minded host thanks all those who came to support or volunteer at her event.
“Despite the very difficult four years we have all had, it is great to see what can be done, with just a small group of people,” she said.
For information about the church, visit: www.wokinghammethodist.org.uk
To find out about the performers at the event, visit Arborfield Military Wives Choir’s Facebook Page.
