Sex bear donated to children’s appeal, toy run returns, and a lost ring found in trash
READING Christian Motorcyclists held their annual Reading Toy Run. The event saw more than 2,000 riders in costumes travel in convoy from Shinfield to Wokingham, carrying toys for disadvantaged children and teenagers.
A community project set up to help families struggling to feed their children during the covid pandemic has marked its third anniversary by seeing demand for its services soar.
Members of the Woodley Lunch Bunch said they thought the project would close once lockdowns had ended and people returned to work.
But instead, they have been looking for more volunteers to come forward and, at one point, they had a waiting list of people who needed support but couldn’t receive it.
It operates a packed lunch delivery service to children in the RG5 postcode area during the school holidays. Support is for families who are having a difficult time financially, or in other ways. It also delivers activity packs, toiletry/hygiene parcels and food packages when appropriate.
The group has become a registered charity, and has nearly 180 children on its books. It is also seeing demand continue to increase as more families are affected by the cost of living crisis: high inflation, rising mortgages, and an increase in the fuel price cap have created more people who are struggling after previously just about managing to balance their books.
Juliet Sherratt, who helps run the group, said: “We thought we were going to be making lunches for six weeks, as we responded to the covid crisis.
“The crisis hasn’t really gone away in terms of its knock-on effects and the cost of living crisis, the fuel crisis and so on. People are still needing support, so we’ve just carried on. ”
A Wokingham charity delivering toys to youngsters in the borough for Christmas, posted an image via social media to explain why they ask people not to pre-wrap their gifts.
First Days Children’s Charity, like many other organisations accepting gifts for youngsters at Christmas, asks people kindly not to wrap presents they donate.
The charity has received an inappropriate toy that reminded them how important it is for all gifts to be checked before being given to a child.
An obviously male teddy dressed in bondage found its way into the donations basket, and was immediately removed by First Days volunteers.
CEO of the charity Emma Cantrell, said: “An adult toy like this is a prime example of why we ask people, please, not to wrap presents for youngsters.
“It can feel wonderful to make a gift look exciting by packaging it beautifully, and it can be done with the very best of intentions.
“But this example is ample evidence that we need to be able to see and check every Christmas present that comes in.”
Forget five gold rings, the only one that matters for a Wokingham borough resident was recovered from a bottle bank in a Christmas miracle.
Patrick lost his gold ring, which had sentimental value, when recycling his glass following a community Christmas event in the village.
He contacted re3, who then conducted a special search to locate it. The team were successful and reunited Patrick with his jewellery.
He said: “I am lost for words and ever so grateful to all staff who took part in the search. I felt devastated when I dropped my ring, which I received on my 18th birthday in 1979.
And the found treasure also delighted Cllr Ian
Shenton, Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Leisure.
“We are thrilled to share this heart-warming story of the dedication of our recycling centre staff,” he said.