REPRESENTATIVES from charities and community groups came together to celebrate their work in a unique event.
The Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh’s meeting saw 16 of the charities it supports deliver five-minute-long introductions into their activities across Reading and Wokingham.
Held at the Salvation Army, Lower Earley, the event was attended by almost 70 people, including club members, guest speakers and the district governor elect, Kate Hodges.
The concept for the event arose from the club’s recent involvement in a project which will see 2,500 frozen meals provided to foodbanks and food surplus projects across Berkshire.
Scott Trathen, RME’s community service team leader, organised the event and said: “It’s so exciting, it’s brilliant. It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this.
“It all came about because I felt like my rotary members, who do so much good work, didn’t really realise where it’s going.
“Likewise, some of the charities, who receive the money and the help we give them, don’t know all of our Rotarians, so I thought why not bring them altogether and just meet and mingle.”
The charities in attendance were: Link Visiting, Woodley Food Bank, Wycliffe Food Share, Whitley Community Development Association, SHARE Wokingham and Woodley, Alexander Devine, YEldall Manor, Soulscape, Camp Mohwak, Dingley’s Promise, Reading Association for the Blind and Berkshire Vision, JAC, Me2 Club and Launchpad.
The rotary club’s support is not just financial, members have done gardening, volunteered at vaccination centres and helped with talking news for the blind.
“All the volunteers which run these charities are outstanding,” Mr Trathen added.
“Most of them are church-based organisations and I fully respect that they feel it’s their duty to help, which is lovely. If we can help that, then that’s perfect.”
