Swings & Smiles charity ball at Newbury Racecourse raises thousands

Thatcham-based charity Swings & Smiles raised £26,000 during its Fall Ball, writes Harry Craig.

The fundraiser was hosted by television presenter Chris Tarrant on October 7.

It was held at The Owners Club at Newbury Racecourse, with Thomas Forrester, who appears on Bargain Hunt, running the live auction and pledges.

Swings & Smiles CEO Rhonda Nicklin and her husband Chris, whose daughter attends the charity’s centre in Thatcham, also gave a speech.

This was part of the charity’s extensive annual calendar of fundraising events, upon which it relies to raise the £550,000 a year required to keep its services running.

This has also included a golf day, Parallel Games and Blue Moon Walk so far in 2023.

Swings & Smiles aims to support disabled young people and their families, with its Thatcham centre including a sensory room and accessible play equipment, and over 1,300 families are registered to use its services.

The charity’s next fundraising event is the annual Carol Concert at St Mary’s Church in Thatcham on December 3.