COSTA COFFEE has lent its support to an organisation in Reading supporting children’s access sports and arts despite facing financial obstacles.
Through its Community Grants scheme, now in its fifth year, the coffee chain has awarded £2,000 to Reading-based No Knockout.
The charity helps young people access sports and arts with a view to helping their social, mental, and physical development.
The group was nominated by Szymon Rysz, who works in Costa Coffee’s People Team as a Technical Trainer.
The funding will help No Knockout to support a wider network of girls and boys across various disciplines to continue thriving within their chosen passions.
They have so far supported cricket, dance, theatre and rugby, and with the £2,000 donation, they will be able to explore other sports such as athletics, football and SEN access to sports and art.
Nominator Szymon said: “I nominated No Knockout because they’re making a real difference for disadvantaged young people.
“This grant will help them open doors to sports and arts for children who might otherwise miss out, building confidence, resilience, and a stronger sense of belonging in our community.”
Aaron White, Chair of the Board of Trustees at No Knockout, commented: “Receiving a donation of this magnitude is truly wonderful – the first thing I think of are the individual children whose futures will be changed for the better.
“This £2,000 donation is a powerful message directly to them and their parents that are working hard every day to maintain their child’s interests, passions and opportunities.
“This generosity is a lifeline, and it will be felt in the renewed confidence and ongoing smiles of every person it reaches.”
Jodi Forbes, Community Programme Lead at Costa Coffee said: “At Costa Coffee, we believe in the power of community and the potential of young people.
“We’re proud to extend a helping hand to charities like No Knockout who make such a difference locally.
“We can’t wait to see and hear how this donation helps them to continue their life-changing work in West Berkshire.”
This year Costa Coffee has donated a total of £54,000 to 44 charities and community groups across the UK, with grants ranging from £1,000 to £2,000.
Since launching in 2021, the scheme has provided more than £225,000 in funding, reflecting Costa Coffee’s commitment to supporting and empowering the communities it serves every day.
