A YEAR of fundraising has seen a mayor raise almost £28,000 for a children’s charity based in Woodley.
Cllr John Kaiser, who stepped down as Wokingham Borough mayor in May, originally thought he’d raised £24,000, but the final total was a staggering £27,600. The money was raised from his mayoral duties and goes to the work of the Me2 Club, which enables children and young people with additional needs and disabilities aged between five and 19, to attend mainstream activity clubs.
The money raised enables the charity to keep recruiting and developing volunteers who provide invaluable one-to-one support to young people, helping them take part in their favourite activities such as youth clubs or swimming.
And the club had an opportunity to thank the mayor for his fundraising efforts when it held a charity quiz night. The event was attended by staff, trustees, families and volunteers. More than 100 guests attended the night, which was sponsored by Hicks Developments Ltd. It raised a further £2,011.
Cllr John Kaiser, outgoing Mayor, said: “It has been an honour to work alongside the Me2 Club during my year in tenure. The services they provide for local young people are truly life-changing. It is a privilege to have been able to help raise this significant sum of money for the organisation – of which is much deserved.”
Tess Eagles, manager of the Me2 Club, added: “We want to thank John, for choosing a local charity in his Mayoral term. Every penny raised will contribute to supporting children in the Wokingham Borough to be included in their local community.
“Thanks also to John for attending our events and helping us to raise the charity’s profile during the 15th year celebrations – you have made a really big difference in the lives of the children and families Me2 Club support.”
The donation comes at a crucial time for the charity as it looks to expand its services across Berkshire, starting with five wards in the Reading area.
