‘Thank you to everyone for your help’ says Newbury Weekly News Over 80s’ Parcel Fund coordinator
“Thank you to everyone for your help.”
That is the message from the NWN Over 80s’ Parcel Fund coordinator, Jo Fulker, as she winds up another successful year.
Last week any remaining parcels were distributed by Thames Valley Police community support officers to a number of worthy causes.
PCSO Sherrie Cranstone said that the donated bags had been distributed around Newbury and Thatcham, including one going to every resident at an independent living accommodation in Newbury, who were all “very happy”.
Along with her colleague PCSO Jon Coffman she also dropped a number of bags off at Eight Bells for Mental Health, in Newbury; the Thatcham Community Larder; and Caramar, which offers accommodation for adults with mental health issues and learning difficulties.
Thank you again so much for the donation,” she added. “We really do appreciate it.”
Mrs Fulker said the parcel fund had once again been a “tremendous success thanks to all the organisations and very kind volunteers” involved.
This year 1,875 elderly people in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford and many of the surrounding villages received a food parcel.
“For many of them it is the knock on the door and the feeling they will always be remembered by their local community that matters,” said Mrs Fulker.
“I feel so few of our readers realise how many people are involved in so many different ways and I would like to do my best to thank all individuals and companies who helped in any way, either with the help of the distribution or the many very kind donations that we received, especially Greenham Trust who supported us financially and also fund matched many donations we received, helping us raise sufficient money to pay our very large food bill from Sainsbury’s.
“As you can imagine the list is far too long to mention everyone and I will apologise now if I have forgotten you, but here are some of the many companies, groups or people who helped without whose help the Newbury Weekly News Over 80s’ Parcel Fund would not have been such a tremendous success again.”
She went on to thank Sue and Colin Kitchener, John Smart and other members from the Rotary Club in Thatcham, Ted and Daphne Angel from Chain in Hungerford, Rotary Club in Newbury, Rotary Club in Hungerford, Chain in Hungerford, Newbury Young Farmers, Carol Irwin the PR Ambassador from Sainsburys, Newbury Town Council, Hungerford Town Council, Thatcham Town Council, Kennet School, St Bartholomew’s School, Trinity School, Downe House school, Newbury College, Camp Hopson Removals Ltd, Swift Couriers, Kintbury Parish Council, Rivar Ltd, The Hartley Trust, Soroptomist Group, Jones Robinson, Castle Windows, Swimming Schools, Newbury Building Society, Shaw-cum-Donnington Parish Council, Brimpton Parish Council, Thatcham Relief in Need, Colefax Charitable Trust, Gerald Palmer Eling Trust, Town and Manor of Hungerford, cubs and leaders from all over Newbury and the surrounding villages and so many other very kind people who supported events, and helped in so many other ways.
“The food parcels, which are from the whole community, are just a way of all of us saying a big ‘thank you’ to the elderly people in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford for all they have done during their lifetime,” added Mrs Fulker.
“May I take this opportunity on behalf of all the elderly people in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford to thank you all and wish you all the best for 2024.”
