READING’S Business Improvement District (BID) has celebrated the success of this year’s donation drive, helping young people across the borough.
The Summer Donation Drive sees the BID partnering with Brighter Futures for Children to collect donations in support of vulnerable children, young people, and families in Reading.
This year’s drive garnered more than 300 toiletry products, over 200 items of clothing, such as baby grows and shoes, and 35kg of staple foods such as rice and pasta.
The donations will go directly to support children and families who rely on Brighter Futures for Children’s Summer Activities Programme, helping to ease hardship and bring comfort over the summer holidays.
On behalf of Reading Borough Council, Brighter Futures for Children supports up to 9,500 vulnerable young people each summer, including babies and new mums, young carers, care leavers and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
This year’s donation drive supported the Summer Activities Programme, meeting crucial needs from school supplies and food to hygiene products and newborn essentials.
This year, Reading BID expanded the donation drive by opening donations to the wider public, as well as hosting on-site collection points at 26 office buildings around the town centre.
A pop-up donation point for the public ran from 14–17 July at Reading Station, run by volunteers from local businesses.
Alexa Volker, Manager of Reading BID, said: “As the cost of living continues to rise, the support from our local community local people is more vital than ever.
“Reading has shown what’s possible when a community comes together with both compassion and action.
“Thanks to the generosity of our local businesses and residents, we’ve matched last year’s fantastic achievement and collected over 80 boxes.
“We couldn’t have done it without you, and we hope you’ll continue to stand alongside us next year.
“Let’s be an even bigger support to our local young people in 2026.”
