A CHARITY that helps women return to work is celebrating fundraising success.
Smart Works Reading held a fashion-themed brunch on Friday, November 12.
The event at Badegmore Park, Henley, raised more than £8,000.
More than 80 guests enjoyed a morning of shopping followed by brunch, a charity auction and a panel discussion by leading female figures in the fashion industry.
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Charity ambassador Virginia Chadwyck-Healey, a fashion stylist and writer, hosted a panel discussion with Jo Tutchener-Sharp, founder of online fashion brand Scamp & Dude, and Pip Durell, founder of With Nothing Underneath.
Sarah Burns MBE, chair of Smart Works Reading, thanked the panelists for giving an insight into leading a fashion brand.
“They are all such strong, inspirational women that really made the day,” she said.
Ms Burns also thanked attendees for the funds they raised.
“It will allow us to take our service to even more women across the Thames Valley,” she added.
The Smart Works Reading centre, on London Street, is one of seven Smart Works sites across the UK. It offers individual support such as clothes styling and interview coaching to women returning to work. Since opening in the Thames Valley in 2015, the charity has helped 700 women get a job.
For more information, see: reading.smartworks.org.uk
