Newbury Weekly News launches annual Over 80s Parcel Fund with Greenham Trust to help elderly this Christmas

The Newbury Weekly News Over 80s Parcel Fund has returned for the 127th time.

The annual food parcel initiative was launched on Monday, October 2 at Sainsbury’s in Newbury.

Over the years the contents have changed with recipients 100 years ago receiving either a tin of tea or tobacco.

Today NWN sends out nearly 2,000 parcels to anyone over the age of 80-years-old – who we have been told about – living in Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford and the surrounding villages.

The parcels are not means tested in any way, they are purely to wish all local residents a happy Christmas from their local community.

It also aims to illustrate how valued their earlier years of service to the community were and make them realise they are always remembered.

Parcel Fund coordinator Jo Fulker said: “It is due to the kind support of so many different companies and volunteers around Newbury that the Parcel Fund is able to continue.”

The donations have already started pouring in and the NWN would like to thank its main sponsor Greenham Trust for its contributions.

Donations have also come in from Newbury Rotary Club, the Town and Manor of Hungerford, the Mayor of Thatcham, Newbury Building Society, Charles Robinson, GR Swimming Schools, Castle Windows, The Hartley Trust, Rivar Ltd, Newbury Weekly News and anonymous individuals.

The mayor of Newbury, Nigel Foot, was present at the launch.

He said: “This is a fantastic fund-raising initiative by the Newbury Weekly News and thanks to the generosity and kindness of so many people and local businesses, 2,000 older residents will receive a festive gift from the community to express their gratitude for all they have done during their lifetime.”

He was joined at the launch by others involved including Sainsbury’s community champion Carol Irwin, Parcel Fund coordinator Jo Fulker, Sainsbury’s GM lead manager Mark Steer, NWN deputy editor Sarah Bosley and Greenham Trust grants manager Jaz Ghalley.

This year, those who donate through The Good Exchange will have their money matched and can do so here https://shorturl.at/cw358

Cheques can also be made to Greenham Trust Ltd, for the attention of Jo Fulker, and posted to Newbury News on Faraday Road, Newbury, RG14 2DW.

Fundraising events are now also being organised and NWN has a coffee morning and quiz night for sports enthusiasts coming up soon.

The NWN is now calling on all West Berkshire’s residents, schools, businesses and community groups to join in with the fundraising events or to organise their own.

The competition for the Newbury News School Quiz Trophy is taking place at a Primary School Quiz night held at Stockcross Primary School on October 17 from 6.30pm - 8pm.

To enter a team of four or five pupils from Year 5 or Year 6 contact Jo Fulker at jo.fulker@newburynews.co.uk for an entry form before places run out.

To add the name of a person for this year’s parcels – or to remove a name of someone who no longer requires a parcel – please email Jo Fulker with the person’s name, address and date of birth.