With just two weeks to go until our Pitch to the Panel grant giving event, we are asking local supporters and companies to help us smash our £75,000 target and help combat loneliness and isolation in Berkshire!
During 2016 Berkshire Community Foundation has worked tirelessly to raise the funds to tackle the problem, which is prevalent in Berkshire. Our fundraising campaign ‘A life Less Lonely’ has generated significant support and interest across the county, with the backing of celebrities such as TV’s antiques expert, Jonty Hearnden.
The campaign is vital as it is estimated that there are 35,000 isolated elderly people in Berkshire. Furthermore, despite the fact that Berkshire is a prosperous county it still has wards which fall into the 10% most deprived in the country. Isolation doesn’t just effect the elderly however, victims of abuse, carers and those with mental health issues often suffer in silence.
In October 2016, groups from across the county were invited to apply for between £1,000 and £20,000. BCF received an unprecedented volume of applications- all aiming to show how the funding would help to reduce the issue of loneliness and isolation for the group that they represent. We are delighted to announce that the following shortlisted groups will ‘Pitch to the Panel’ on 30th January 2017 at Norden Farm in Maidenhead:
- Aik Saath
- Alzheimers Dementia Support
- ASD Family Help
- Citizens Advise Windsor & Maidenhead
- DrugFAM
- Re:Charge R & R
- Readibus
The Foundation’s CEO, Gerry Lejeune OBE, is very excited about the campaign’s results and the forthcoming ‘Pitch to the Panel’ event. She said. “There is still time for philanthropic individuals and groups to get behind this event. If we raise more, then we have more to give. This is a brilliant way for local people, trusts, companies and organisations to pledge their support to those who need it the most, so why not get involved?”
Donations to the campaign can be made via:
- Website – https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/berkshirecommunityfoundation
- Cheque – Please make cheques payable to “Berkshire Community Foundation” and post to Berkshire Community Foundation, 100 Longwater Avenue, Green Park, Reading, RG2 6GP. UK Taxpayers can also use this gift aid form to add 25% to their donation.
- In person – Come and see us at Berkshire Community Foundation, 100 Longwater Avenue, Green Park, Reading, RG2 6GP or call us on 0118 930 3021 to arrange a meeting.
Pitch to the Panel is proudly sponsored by: 
