A TWYFORD man’s fundraising efforts have seen him nominated for a Pride of Reading award.
Ian Wisdom was visibly moved on learning that he had been put forward for fundraiser of the year, sponsored by Cream Design.
He is the powerhouse behind the Twyford Beer Festival, a volunteer-run event held in Stanlake Meadows every year.
It features a range of real ales, perries and ciders, from local brewers and further afield.
Every year it raises thousands of pounds for Orchid, a charity that focuses on male cancers.
Mr Wisdom also organises the bar at Wokingham Festival, which took place over the August bank holiday weekend, again selling real ale and ciders for the charity.
And he has also organised other events over the years to boost the coffers of the charity.
In the next few weeks, he will be taking a sizeable donation from this year’s events to the charity’s London HQ. Last year it was more than £10,000.
And he has already set the date for next year’s festival, which will again be held in Stanlake Meadows on Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11.
Well-known in Twyford, he is often seen walking his pet dog Fly, who loves sticks that are several times bigger than him.
His nominator said: “He organises the Twyford Beer Festival every year, all the profits from the festival and other fundraising events such as the Marvellous Festival, Wokingham Festival are donated to Orchid charity.
“Their work is vital in raising awareness of male cancer, encouraging men to check for symptoms and providing support to the men affected by male cancer.
“Despite needing a hip replacement Ian had continued the massive task organising the Twyford beer festival.
“The event has the added benefit of supporting local Independent breweries selling their products.
“This year Ian also organised the Jubilee celebrations for the community of Twyford.”
Ian said he was humbled to be nominated.
“It’s totally unexpected, it’s smashing. (Being nominated) is not what we do it for – it’s not just me, it’s my wife and the whole crew (of volunteers),” he explained.
“I am passionate about Orchid. They are a lovely little charity and the work they do is outstanding, it really is.
“The improvements in both the surgical techniques and, over the last 15 years, the overall knowledge of how cancers affect the human body has been astonishing. The work Orchid does is tireless and ongoing.
“They have the biggest tissue sample of cancer-specific cells in the world and that’s used by quite a lot of other charities, as are their studies – that’s why we support this tiny little charity called Orchid.”
