Sarah Zeneli is the founder of Sparkle Vegan Events which has run Reading Vegan Festival on Market Place, Broad Street and Market House every year in September since 2017, and Reading Vegan Fiesta at Forbury Gardens annually in April since 2022.
Their nominator for The Chris Tarrant Award said: “It is a very small team but they have achieved so much with these family-friendly community events.
“Thousands of people attend, travelling in from all surrounding towns – making Reading a destination for plant-based and eco-friendly living, and increasing footfall.”
Sparkle Vegan Events supports and showcases hundreds of small, local, sustainable businesses and organisations. They also provide free advice for new business owners about how to set up a stall and help with the necessary documentation.
The events provide volunteering and work experience opportunities for people in the community of all ages, said their nominator. They also support local charities and grassroots groups with free stalls and donations.
“Sarah is so committed and passionate about bringing vegan events to her lifelong home town of Reading. She works tirelessly doing all the marketing and organisation of Reading Vegan Festival and Reading Vegan Fiesta, often achieving local and national press interest.” her nominator added.
The events create a friendly atmosphere with everyone welcome, they added. Free information, recipes and gifts are provided for those who want to find out more about a vegan lifestyle. Free entertainment such as comedy, face-painting and music is arranged for all to enjoy.
“As a proud Reading business and resident, I know that Sarah would be so grateful and honoured to receive a Pride of Reading nomination (and hopefully win!).”
Sarah is also nominated or Business in Action under 50 employees, sponsored by Boyes Turner, and Putting Reading on the Map, sponsored by Jacobs the Jewellers and The Purple Turtle.
A second nominator said: “ Sarah is a very driven, creative and a positive force in business. She works exceptionally hard to run Reading Vegan Festival, Reading Vegan Fiesta and other vegan events in Berkshire and surrounds, which helps put Reading on the map.
“Sarah always remains, patient, positive and kind and builds up brilliant relationships with all who she encounters.” they said, adding: “Sarah also has a young son and does working mums proud to accomplish all that she manages to achieve.”
