At Christmas the Newbury Weekly News Over 80s’ Parcel Fund, supported by Greenham Trust, offered a festive treat to nearly 1,800 residents.
Yet again the project was a tremendous success thanks to every single person, who helped in any tiny way, from organising fundraising events and taking part in quizzes, to company donations and money donated from Trust Funds.
St Barts year 7 collecting parcels to take to residentsKennet school delivers parcels to Avon bank
And in particular a huge thank you must go to all the wonderful volunteers who helped by giving up some of their time leading up to Christmas.
“All of this support is needed and it is only due to all the help we receive from our amazing community that we are able to continue with something that means so much to the many elderly people in our local community,” said Jo Fulker, coordinator of the fund.
“This year 1,775 elderly people in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford and many of the surrounding villages received a food parcel and for many of them it is the knock on the door and being remembered that means so much to them, although there are many more of them that really appreciate the few extra special treats they might not otherwise be able to afford.
“As you can imagine the list is far too long to mention everyone and I will apologise now if I have forgotten you, but here are some of the many companies, groups and people who helped out this year and without whose help the Newbury Weekly News Over 80s’ Parcel Fund would be impossible to achieve.
Sue Kitchener and Jo FaulknerSainsburys – Over 80s Parcel funds – Martin Taylor, Carol Irwin and Mark Hamlin
“Sue and Colin Kitchener; John Smart and other members from the Rotary Club in Thatcham; Ted and Daphne Angel from Chain in Hungerford; Robert Fennel; Newbury Young Farmers; Carol Irwin, the PR Ambassador from Sainsbury’s Newbury; Sainsbury’s staff; Hungerford Town Council; Thatcham Town Council; Kennet School, Thatcham; St Bartholomew’s School, Newbury; Trinity School, Newbury; Downe House School; Camp Hopson Removals Ltd; Swift Couriers; Rivar Ltd; Donnington Hospital Trust; The Town and Manor of Hungerford; Colefax Charitable Trust; Gerald Palmer Eling Trust; Soroptimist Group; Kintbury Parish Council; Charles Robinson; Rotary Club in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford; The Hartley Trust; Newbury Town Council; Castle Windows; Andy Moore, the Mayor of Newbury; Lord Carnarvon; Thatcham Relief in Need; the more than 15 local primary schools; Joyce Lewis; John Philip; Geoffrey Scott-Baker; Anthony Hewitt; Leigh Woodman; Kevin Mosley; Glyn Thomas; Mo Osborne, with over 60 cubs from different cub packs around Newbury; Newbury Racecourse; The Bowlers Arms, Renegade Brewery and the many anonymous donors.
“So next year, when you see volunteers collecting for the fund, or are asked to get involved in an event to raise money for this truly local charity, please do. Or just come along to one of our fundraising events and remember that the parcels are a gift to some of West Berkshire’s oldest residents and really do help to brighten up their Christmas!
“The food parcels, which are from the whole community, are just a way of all of us saying a big ‘thank you’ to the elderly people in West Berkshire for all they have done during their lifetime.
“And on behalf of all the elderly people, thank you very much and all the best for a healthy 2025!”