This July, our annual Summer Donation Drive returns for the third time, helping young people across Reading access the essentials they need to thrive.
The programme, supported by Reading Business Improvement District (BID), sees the community come together to make a real difference to those who might otherwise go without.
A donation point will be open at Reading Station (Brunel Arcade, outside the British Transport Office) from 13 – 16 July, 8.30am – 2pm and 4 – 6pm.
We’re looking for items in new or nearly new condition and include long-life food, sunscreen and sun hats, water bottles, school supplies, clothing essentials, toiletries and newborn items such as baby clothing, formula and nappies.
Every item donated helps ensure that young people across Reading can feel supported, confident, and ready to enjoy their summer. From babies and new mums to young carers, care leavers, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) – your contribution, big or small, directly supports those who need it most.
A huge thank you goes to our Reading businesses, who always show up for this initiative. This year will be no different, and a number of town centre businesses are hosting internal collection points for their staff between 29 June and 16 July. A full list of participating locations can be found here.
The Summer Donation Drive highlights the incredible generosity of our local businesses and residents, who go out of their way to drop off things that make such a huge difference to so many young people.
Last year alone, we saw over 300 toiletries, 200 clothing items and 35kg of pasta donated, providing for up to 9,500 children and young people.
This year we want to go even further, so if you are able to help, no matter how small your contribution, please consider popping to town between the 13 and 16 July, and let’s make this year’s drive even more incredible than the last.
By Councillor Liz Terry, Leader of the Council
