Plough funding booster for Dingley

Newbury pub raises more than £1,000 for charity

A children’s charity has received a financial boost of more than £1,000 thanks to a Newburypub.

Patrons of the Plough on the Green, in The Folly, raised the amount for the Newbury branch of Dingley Family and Specialist Early Years Centre.

The charity, which has its Newbury base at Shaw Social Club, provides specialist care for children, from birth to five years old, with additional and special needs.

The pub raised £1,414 over Christmas through a grand draw, a charity race night and a meat raffle. Landlord Ken Gammon said the amount was above expectations.

The pub used to support the Spring Charity Fundraisers, run buy pub patron Jane Wells and her husband Binky.

The charity raised money for local children’s charities and Mrs Wells recommended that the pub support Dingley.

Mrs Wells said that Dingley had had difficulty in securing a permanent centre for the children, meaning there was not enough room for their specialised equipment.

After five years Newbury’s Dingley finally opened at the social club in Poplar Place last year. But it is now facing a cut in grant funding from West Berkshire Council.

Mrs Wells said: “I am thrilled that the Plough has managed to raise so much money as I know that Newbury’s Dingley will really benefit from our help, especially now that there are huge reductions in fundings from the council.”

The money will enable Dingley to buy specialised equipment – £707 for a set of three bags, that will help the parents and their children with special needs in their own homes.

Centre manager Louise Farmer said: “We couldn't do what we do without the support from local people such as Jane Wells and Ken Gammon from The Plough on the Green in Newbury.

“We would like to thank all that were involved in raising such a fantastic amount for us, and for their continued support.”