The end of an academic year is always an exciting time, for lots of reasons. We get the chance to wave off our graduating students into the wider world, with so much potential ahead of them.
Many of us will be taking a well-deserved break to relax, spend time with family and friends, and hopefully, enjoy some nice weather. What I also like about this time of year is looking forward to what lies ahead, and the exciting new opportunities on the horizon.
Earlier this year, we announced the launch of our inaugural Charity of the Year Scheme, where we will work closely with one chosen charity to engage with and support them throughout the 2024/25 academic year.
I am very happy to announce that we now have our chosen charity – which is Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity.
Rainbow Trust does incredible work supporting families caring for a child with a serious or terminal illness. Their family support workers provide crucial practical and emotional support to families during very challenging times. This lifeline of support is available whenever it is needed and for as long as it is needed, making a real difference in the lives of those facing unimaginable difficulties.
The selection of Rainbow Trust as our first Charity of the Year was a democratic process, with University staff voting from a shortlist of five worthy candidates. We received an overwhelming 46 applications from charities active in the Thames Valley area, demonstrating the wealth of impactful organisations in our region.
Our shortlisting criteria focused on finding a charity that aligns with the University’s charitable objectives of advancing education, learning, and research for public benefit. We also considered the potential benefits to the charity, its beneficiaries, and our local community, as well as the opportunities it presents for our University community to engage and make a difference.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will be working closely with Rainbow Trust to plan a variety of engaging activities and initiatives throughout the academic year. These will not only help raise funds for this vital cause but also increase awareness of the challenges faced by families caring for seriously ill children.
This new scheme builds upon the strong foundation of community engagement already established by our staff and students. Many members of our University community already volunteer their time and skills to support local causes, and I am confident that this focused partnership will amplify our collective impact.
I personally look forward to participating in some of the fundraising activities that will be planned and encourage all members of our University community and the wider Reading area to get involved in whatever way they can.
The Charity of the Year scheme represents an exciting new chapter in the University of Reading’s commitment to social responsibility. By focusing our efforts on one carefully chosen charity each year, we can make a significant and measurable difference to our local community.
Together, we can support Rainbow Trust in their mission to help families navigate the most challenging of times. I invite you all to join us in this important endeavour as we work to create a positive impact beyond our campus and throughout the Thames Valley.
Professor Robert Van de Noort is the vice-chancellor of the University of Reading
