Rotary Club’s Transport through the Ages event in Mortimer raises top sum for charities
Around 4,000 people attended the Transport Through The Ages event which saw 120 vehicles parade through Mortimer Common.
The Rotary Club of Reading Matins has revealed it raised more than £9,000 at the event on June 22, which will be split between Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and other local causes.
The bells at St John’s Church in Mortimer sounded the start of the inaugural charity fundraiser as crowds lined the footpaths of The Street and West End Road.
Reading Matins president Val Robinson said: “We are delighted at the success of this event and the amount of money raised for the charities we feel so passionate about.
“It’s wonderful when a plan all comes together and a huge thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors, local businesses and The Willink School for making this happen.”
The parade, featuring everything from penny-farthings, vintage cars and tractors to the latest supercars, was led by a marching pipes and drums band with a low-loader mounted steel band following on.
After two laps of the village, the parade joined other show vehicles at Mortimer Fairground so everyone could experience a close up view.
Other entertainment included a dog show, junior Olympics and a tug-of-war.
Five acts, with three bands from The Willink School, in Burghfield Common, provided live music throughout the afternoon.
Local businesses provided refreshments, with the bar serving local ales and cider.
Eric Howell, one of the team who helped stage the show, said: “The event was a great success.
“We had generous sponsors and help from the whole Mortimer community who lent us most of the kit we needed.
“The Willink School generously set up the stage and sound equipment. And for a change we even had good weather.”
Local causes the Rotary Club supports include No5 Young People's Counselling Service as well as international projects such as building the Kyengera Maternity Hospital in Uganda, polio eradication and the hosting of overseas students.
