Pangbourne Rotary Club

IN one day Pangbourne Rotary Club donated cheques of £1,000 each to three deserving charities which help people in need as follows:

• The Churches in Reading Drop-In Centre. Mal Sandham, the club’s community service leader, and club president Brian Davies met manager Mabel Boyd Gregory and her volunteers, who provide meals and support to those in need.

Our donation is a stepping stone in CIRDIC’s Just Giving campaign to raise £52,000 to keep going in the next few months.

• Launchpad Reading is working to end homelessness across Reading.

It provides help and support for anyone who is, or at risk of becoming, homeless.

• West Berkshire Homeless is an amazing charity run entirely by volunteers who provide help (accommodation and advice in negotiating the jungle of bureaucracy) for the homeless and those in need.

Erica Gassor, trustee and frontline befriender, explained that it has 211 active clients and in January alone spent more than £6,000 on support and accommodation.

Mr Davies said that “poverty” was one of his charity themes this year and it was wonderful to help such deserving charities as these.

If you are interested in helping others, please consider joining Pangbourne Rotary Club — email
membership@pangbourne
rotary.org.uk

Our next event is the Pangbourne Art Exhibition and sale at the village hall on Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21 from 10am with a preview on Friday from 6pm to 9pm. Young artists from Englefield, Pangbourne, Whitchurch and Birch Copse Primary Schools will show their work in the small hall.

The event is in aid of Bridge for Young People in Thatcham, which provides a home and support to young people (aged 16-25) who are leaving care or who are homeless.

For more information, email Clive Williams on clivewilliams@gmx.co.uk