Charity ball completes £90k fundraiser for new Dingley home

More than 240 people attended the annual event, at Wokefield Park, Mortimer, racking up £8,000 to be split between Dingley’s three centres in Newbury, Reading and Wokingham.
For the Newbury centre it was the final hurdle in its five-year quest to fund a new home at the Mencap site, on Enborne Road, after leaving its former home at the Racecourse Newbury due to the new housing development.
Group development officer for Newbury, Liz McDaniel, said the event was a huge success.
“It was a really good night,” she said. “We have had some lovely comments from people, some already asking when the next one is going to be.
“We would like to thank all the people who donated prizes which helped us to raise much needed funds.”
Guests were entertained with live music from Mo’ Mojo and a disco, with a meet and greet by Elvis tribute act, Robert Aaron, as well as a three-course meal.
Money was raised through the sale of tickets, at £35 a head, raffle tickets and a silent auction, as well as the sale of small, cuddly versions of Dingley’s mascot.
It is now all systems go to get the new centre up and running.
Soil tests are already being carried out at the site, and Mrs McDaniel revealed plans to start construction work in March, with the aim to open in September.
However, Mrs McDaniel added that although the centre has reached its target for the new centre, further fundraising was essential to support the centre due to a rise in costs and a cut in council funding.