• Support Wokingham Today
  • Get the print edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Wokingham.Today
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • All
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
    • Riseley
    • Shinfield
    • Sindlesham
    • Sonning
    • Spencers Wood
    • Swallowfield
    • Three Mile Cross
    • Twyford
    • Wargrave
    • Winnersh
    • Wokingham
    • Wokingham Without
    • Woodley
    • Woosehill
    • Yateley
    Andrew Gaurd Picture: Thames Valley Police

    Man wanted in connection with three burglaries in Wokingham and Winnersh

    Trees at McDonald\'s The Keep, credit Isabella Perrin

    Backlash against McDonald’s plans to fell six trees

    Sainsbury's Picture: Wikimedia Commons

    Bracknell & Wokingham planning: More progress on new Sainsbury’s supermarket

    1 The Parade, credit google maps

    Woodley off-licence sale of alcohol to underage children ‘disappointing beyond words’

    McDondal's Picture: Wikimedia Commons

    McDonalds proposes major changes to drive-thru store

    Quarters Estate Agents

    Quarters wins Best in Postcode award for customer service

    Mike Forster

    Councillor warns of ‘disinformation tsunami’ in Bracknell over resettlement scheme

    Earley Station

    Petition calling for crossing at Earley Station presented to council

    The house in Linkway, Crowthorne is set to be demolished and replaced with a self build modern home. Credit: Bracknell Forest Council

    ‘Cool’ design for selfbuild home in Crowthorne approved

  • SPORT
    • All
    • Binfield FC
    • Reading FC
    Reading FC

    Former Reading FC player announces shock international retirement

    Reading FC - Charlie Savage and Harvey Knibbs Picture: Luke Adams

    Reading FC star player linked with transfer to Wrexham

    Sam Hutchinson Picture: Luke Adams

    Former Reading FC reflects on heart attack suffered during match

    FC Bracknell

    FC Bracknell U10 Lions score dramatic winner to win the cup for second season in a row

    Ruben Selles

    Former Reading FC manager Ruben Selles linked with League One job

    Reading FC Picture: Luke Adams

    Reading fans – you can finally dare to dream again

    BAPCO beat Burghfield to take the title. Pic: Andrew Batt

    Four in a row for BAPCO

    Rob Couhig, Joe Jacobson

    Rob Couhig reveals new Reading FC CEO following takeover

    Bobby Trundley and his team mates Picture: Dave Allen

    It’s a podium streak for Wokingham racing star Bobby with a win at Silverstone

  • READING FC
  • COMMUNITY
    The Salvation Army

    The Salvation Army in Reading Lower Earley celebrates community diversity with International Day

    Very Beautiful South's nine-piece band will play sing-along classics: Perfect 10, Rotterdam, A Little Time and Don?t Marry Her. Picture courtesy of Wokingham Music Club

    Beautiful South tribute band to play in Wokingham

    Two June volunteer fairs will give people an opportunity to connect with a charity and discover the joy of volunteering. Picture: courtesty of ABC to Read

    June is the time to highlight the joys of volunteering

    Woodley & Earley Lions Club has recently welcomed their newest joiner. Picture: Woodley & Earley Lions Club

    Lions club welcomes eighth new member in 12 months

    Members of Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association will be selling plants at their garden store on June 1.Picture: congerdesign via Pixabay

    Choose new plants for the garden at a Twyford plant sale

    Cockpit Path car park in wokingham. Pic: Andrew Batt.

    Parking charges in Wokingham up – again

    The Hope & Anchor. Pic: Rightmove.

    Historic town pub listed for sale

    The 14th Bracknell Ale & Cider festival takes place at Bracknell Rugby Club on Sunday, May 25.

    Siren sponsorship of Bracknell ale festival

    People Planet Pint meets monthly to socialise and discuss sustainability with like-minded people, at Wokingham's Rose Inn. Picture: Emma Merchant

    Discuss the environment over a pint in Wokingham

  • LIFESTYLE
    • All
    • Food
    • Health
    • Obituaries
    • People
    AB Walker

    VAUGHAN, David Raymond

    The Hope & Anchor. Pic: Rightmove.

    Historic town pub listed for sale

    Woodley Repair Cafe operates on the first Sunday of the month, at Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road, between 2pm and 4pm. Picture: Emma Merchant

    Get things fixed in Woodley

    Photography by: Summers Photography. Flowers by: Fletchers Flowers. Set up by: Crystal Hire.

    Get married and win a wedding at Dinton

    The Forest Shelter construction at Dinton Pastures.

    Forest of Imagination set for this weekend

    Margaret Drinkwater and Julia Isaacs have both donated blood 100 times, and encourage others to join them. Picture: Margaret Drinkwater

    Super donors Julia and Margaret encourage more people to give blood

    Christen  Forster speaks about the explosion of life in Spring, and at Pentecost. Picture: Christen Forster

    Church Notes

    Stephen Lewis (aka Box Dropper Logistics)

    West Streeting with Olivia Bailey, Yuan Yang and Matt Rodda.

    Health secretary visits Royal Berks

  • WHAT’S ON
    • All
    • Arts
    • Entertainment
    Siren RG1

    Siren RG1 to mark first anniversary with weekender celebration

    Wellington Farm Shop

    Wellington Farm Shop celebrates its 20th anniversary

    Two concerts in one day from Reading's APO. Picture: Pexels via Pixabay

    An orchestral event in Wokingham promises evening of drama and contrast

    Eva Wong Nava will be at Trinity Hall Church on Monday from 4pm until 5pm. Picture: Eva Wong Nava

    Young writers can meet children’s author Eva Wong Nava

    Crafters can join a project  to decorate Twyford village centre with bunting Picture: Hello I'm Nik on Unsplash

    Get out the bunting for VE Day at Wokingham’s May Fayre

    Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra's performance of American music promises to be a fun and high energy evening. Picture: CSO

    Discounted tickets available for summer concert in Wokingham

    The Wokingham Lions Club has announced its new season of  #WOKY Comedy Nights at Wokingham Theatre, will begin on Friday, October 4. Picture: Wokingham Lions Club

    Enjoy the last of this season’s #Woky Comedy Night

    A concert at Wokingham Baptist Church will celebrate Ukrainian culture and support charity. Picture: Olena Romanovska

    Wokingham to host a concert of Ukrainian music and dancing

    Priscilla at South Hill Park Pictures: Alex Harvey-Brown

    REVIEW: The true colours of SHP’s Priscilla are beautiful like a rainbow

  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
Wokingham.Today
No Result
View All Result
Home Community

Climbing mountains together: Hope And Vision, and Places Leisure

by Emma Merchant
November 9, 2023
in Community, Featured, Fitness, Lifestyle, Reading, Uncategorised, Wokingham
Tony Attwood, Paul Blair, Danny Williams and a group of Hope And Vision Community residents worked out in Wokingham's BXGFIIT in preparation for their Lake District challenge to raise money for the charity. Picture: Emma Merchant

Tony Attwood, Paul Blair, Danny Williams and a group of Hope And Vision Community residents worked out in Wokingham's BXGFIIT in preparation for their Lake District challenge to raise money for the charity. Picture: Emma Merchant

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

RESIDENTS from a Reading based drug and alcohol recovery community worked up a sweat pummelling punch bags at a Wokingham fitness club this week.

The men are all members of Hope And Vision communities, a Christian organisation that provides homes, support, and understanding for those struggling to break the cycle of addiction.

Some residents have signed up to join the charity’s founder and CEO, Tony Attwood, who will be climbing 21 Lake District peaks over two days in November, to raise money for Hope And Vision.

To help the group train for their mega climb, fitness organisation Places Leisure have given all 17 Hope And Vision residents 12 weeks of free gym membership.

The company runs seven gyms and sports centres across the borough,including Wokingham’s boxing gym.

On Monday, staff at BXGFIT took the group through their first boxercise session, to launch the initiative.

Related posts

Man wanted in connection with three burglaries in Wokingham and Winnersh

Police provide update on minibus crash where six-year-old boy was killed

Healthy communities manager at Places Leisure Molly Hale said: “We’re excited to be teaming up with Hope And Vision.

“We know that physical activity has so many benefits for a whole range of people, particularly those who have experienced drug and alcohol addiction.

“It can reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression, which can all be triggers for relapse.

“Physical activity is a great way to support long term recovery, and we are delighted too to be playing a part in the group’s 21 Peak challenge, helping them to raise money to support more men who really need their services.”

Pulling punches with the team were Paul Blair of Abingdon Extreme Fundraisers, and British Olympian athlete, commonwealth judo gold medal winner, and ambassador for Hope And Vision Danny Williams.

“I jumped at the chance of joining the 21 peaks challenge when Tony mentioned it,” Mr Williams said.

“I was a full time competitive athlete when we first met and Tony told me about the charity.

“I was really keen to get involved, and became an ambassador.

“It’s great to see the charity helping a growing number of residents on their road to recovery.

“I grew up without a father, and I really value the people who gave up their time for me at the sports clubs I trained in.

“I knew how important they can be.”

Paul Blair’s connection with Tony Attwood is profound.

Like Tony, he was sentenced and served time.

Also like Tony, he was sent to prison by Judge Peter Ross, who is now chair of Hope And Vision.

Peter and Tony’s working friendship is a remarkable story, and can be read on the charity’s website.

Paul was recently re-introduced to Peter Ross, whom he hadn’t seen since his conviction.

Paul said: “I have a very personal reason for wanting to help.

“I met Tony in prison, and the judge that sent him away sent me away too.

“My life has completely changed now, and it’s only right that I give a bit back, and help Tony and the team make some money for their great journey.

“They are supporting others who have been in the same situation as me.

“I’ve really enjoyed today, and I’ll do my best on the challenge.

“Difficult things can seem out of reach, but they’re not.

“They’re never out of reach.

“Since I’ve come out of prison, I’ve got my own boxing club, my own swimming group, and I’m a founder of a charity.

“It shows that a mountain that can seem so big, is actually smaller than you think, and you can get over it.”

Tony is looking forward to the mountain climb, but recognises it’s going to be a real challenge.

He joked: “It’s good for me, but I don’t always like what’s good for me.

“A little bit of me regrets signing up for the challenge, but I’m committed now.

“And it’s going to be really good to do this together with the guys.

“We’re going to look at each other, and not at the mountain.

“You can make mountains out of molehills, but hopefully, we’ll make molehills out of mountains, and raise money for people who have been where we have, to help them flourish.”

Hope And Vision business developer Louise Griffin said: “These are all men who have climbed mountains to overcome difficulties in their lives.

“The 21 Peaks challenge is a chance to show that with the right people to support you, you can climb any mountain.

“Hope And Vision is a community that says ‘yes, you can’.

“That’s what you need to hear when you are climbing.

“Succeeding at a challenge like this can give the men confidence to believe that they will get jobs, that they can get their driving licence back, and have their family back.”

The men will tackle The 21 Peaks Challenge on November 11 and 12, and hope to raise £5,000.

For information about Hope And Vision, visit: www.hopeandvision.org.uk

For BXGFIT, log onto: www.placesleisure.org

Abingdon Extreme Fundraisers can be found at their Facebook page, and to support the Hope And Vision 21 peaks challenge, visit:

www.justgiving.com and search for Paul Blair.

Keep up to date by signing up for our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people who have requested it.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Tags: berksBerkshirehope and visionLocal NewsUK NewsWokinghamwokingham berkshirewokingham todaywokywoky berks
Previous Post

Bidding war for Wokingham woodland

Next Post

Wokingham’s fabulous firework display, and 10,000 pairs of muddy wellies

FOLLOW US

POPULAR THIS WEEK

Graeme Hobbs from Wokingham Positive Difference

Wokingham Positive Difference will discuss the power of innovation

May 22, 2025
Andrew Gaurd Picture: Thames Valley Police

Man wanted in connection with three burglaries in Wokingham and Winnersh

May 27, 2025
A 10th Anniversary party for Wokingham In Need was hosted by Alexandra Grange on Monday. Pictures: Emma Merchant

Wokingham In Need enjoys a happy birthday party at Alexandra Grange

May 22, 2025
BAPCO beat Burghfield to take the title. Pic: Andrew Batt

Four in a row for BAPCO

May 21, 2025
Photography by: Summers Photography. Flowers by: Fletchers Flowers. Set up by: Crystal Hire.

Get married and win a wedding at Dinton

May 23, 2025
The Julia Set Picture: Andrew Merritt

RaW Sounds Today: Featuring The Julia Set, Y, Honeyglaze and The Bluepers

May 25, 2025

ABOUT US

Wokingham Today is dedicated to providing news online across the whole of the Borough of Wokingham. It is a Social Enterprise, existing to support the various communities in Wokingham Borough.

Wokingham.Today is a Social Enterprise and aims to ensure that everyone within the Borough has free access to independent and up-to-date news. However, providing this service is not without costs. If you are able to, please make a contribution to support our work.

CONTACT US

[email protected]

Keep up to date with our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people that have subscribed

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Support Us
  • Book Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Get the Print Edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter

The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
If you have a complaint about a  The Wokingham Paper Ltd  publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned, email: [email protected], or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
  • COMMUNITY
  • LIFESTYLE
  • SPORT
  • READING FC
  • OBITUARIES
  • WHAT’S ON
  • JOBS
  • PHOTOS
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • CONTACT US
  • WHERE TO GET THE PRINT EDITION
  • SUPPORT US

© 2022 - The Wokingham Paper Ltd - All Right Reserved.