It is said that charity begins at home.
That is virtually the case with Reading Buses whose new Charity of the Year is literally on their doorstep.
For New Beginnings Reading, a homeless charity voted for by Reading Buses employees, is based next door to their depot in Great Knollys Street.
The new Charity of the Year was unveiled in a launch at the depot today Friday (February 11) that featured a branded bus which will act as an advert to raise awareness of New Beginnings and will support the fundraising over the next 12 months.
Fundraising activities this year will include the ever-popular Reading Buses Open Day which will be going ahead on June 26 after a two-year break.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses’ Chief Executive Officer, said today: “We are really excited to be announcing New Beginnings as our 2022 charity.
“Our employees are thrilled to be supporting a great, local cause with their base at the repurposed Queens Arms pub which is next door to the depot.
“After a tough couple of years due to the pandemic, it feels great to support a charity that specialises in helping people cope with modern life and get back on their feet.
“We are hoping that over the next year, with the support of our employees and the generosity of customers, friends and families we can raise a large sum of money for New Beginnings.”
The charity has transformed the Queens Arms pub into a base of operations which is now used for a number of services including an all-night café, a night shelter for the homeless and a community fridge for the distribution of free food for those in need.
Said Simon Schnieders, Trustee from New Beginnings Reading: “We’re overjoyed to have been chosen by Reading Buses as their charity partner of the year.
“The volunteers here work tirelessly to support the homeless and local community. The additional visibility that this gives us we simply could not otherwise afford.
“Further,” he added, “the fundraising ambitions of Reading Buses are an inspiration to all. We are hugely grateful.”