Reading businesses donate over 80 boxes of food, clothes and summer essentials to support thousands of vulnerable children in Reading this summer

12th July 2024

Reading town centre businesses have donated over 80 boxes of food, clothes and summer essentials for the thousands of local children in need who will be attending Brighter Futures for Children’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme this summer. 

The donations, which were collected from 16 of the largest multi-occupancy office blocks across the town centre, ranged from sun protection to summer clothes and food items. This included 103 water bottles, 200 toothbrushes, 35 boxes of cereal, 70 kg of pasta, 200 cans of tinned food and 92 packs of sanitary products, among other donations.  The donations scheme was organised by Reading Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Reading town centre’s business community.  

Brighter Futures for Children, on behalf of Reading Borough Council, organises the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for the 4,827 local children who are entitled to pupil premium free school meals. Through approved providers, the children have access to free activities and lunch during the summer holidays. The donations from local businesses will support and enhance the current HAF programme, providing local children and their families with much-needed food and other essentials during the school holidays. 

Many of Reading’s town centre office blocks volunteered as donation points for the businesses based there and Reading BID has worked with these businesses and their staff to collect the donations, which will be distributed through the various activity providers delivering the HAF programme to children eligible for pupil premium free school meals.  

Alexa Volker, Reading BID Manager, said, “Reading BID is proud to be supporting the Brighter Futures for Children’s HAF programme this summer. We are very proud of the way that our town centre businesses and their staff have stepped up to support the work of the HAF programme for the thousands of children in need who will benefit from this fantastic programme. 

“Many of the families of children who attend the HAF programme are affected by the cost-of -living crisis and this initiative will mean they’ll have additional food and other essentials, which the children can take home. This is in addition to the nutritious meals and activities provided through the programme.” 

Gavin Brar, Business Relationship Manager at Barclays Business Banking, said: “Barclays have been working closely with the Reading BID over the last five years, and when the local Thames Valley Relationship team found out about this appeal, they all jumped at the opportunity to raise funds and support our local children.”  

Maria Young, Director of Family Help & Safeguarding at Brighter Futures for Children said: “We are delighted to be partnering with so many Reading businesses and we’re very grateful to all of their employees who have donated food, clothing and other essentials that are much needed and appreciated by the families we support. 

“We are very grateful to Reading BID for organising the donations. It’s wonderful that we can join forces to provide these much-needed essentials for children to take home after their activities. We look forward to a long and meaningful partnership with Reading businesses in the future.”