PAUL FARMER is a man with numbers on his mind.
The 67-year-old has now raised £67,000 for numerous charities in and around Reading.
The latest coffee morning at All Saints Church in Downshire Square, notched up a further £205 for the Reading Association For The Blind – and Paul says he has no plans to stop.
“I started organising fundraising events about 12 years ago and just kept going,” he smiles.
“I love doing it and it’s good to know that local charities benefit from people’s generosity. I enjoy poking around in charity shops for raffle prizes and people are very generous in donating items.
“There is also a social benefit from something like a coffee morning especially for people living alone. We all like a good chat with a coffee and a slice of cake.”
Over the last 12 years, Paul has organised events such as Christmas fairs, summer fayres, jumble sales and tombolas. He has also run the Reading Half Marathon for the last 13 years and abseiled 86 metres down The Blade.
“That was out of my comfort zone but it was thrilling,” he adds.
“I like to think up different ways to fund raise and perhaps one day I’ll do a parachute jump.”
Paul says his favourite charities are the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice in Maidenhead and the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.
“At the end of the day, fundraising events raise money for good causes of all descriptions and I am glad to play a small part in helping them.”
