This summer has been a whirlwind of community spirit, generosity, and impactful events! We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us, whether through attending events, volunteering, or spreading the word about our mission. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights.
Mayor’s Coffee Morning at Newbury Town Hall
In April, we kicked off the season with a fantastic Mayor’s Coffee Morning at Newbury Town Hall. The delicious homemade cakes were a hit, and the tombola kept everyone entertained. A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event such a success!
Fantastic Fundraising Coffee Morning
May started with our popular fundraiser at St. Nicolas Church Hall. Our fundraising coffee morning was filled with lively chatter, more of those irresistible homemade cakes, and a mesmerizing performance by Sarah, accompanied by our Chair of Trustees, Gary. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this popular gathering.
Mental Health Awareness Week
From May 13th to 19th, we turned our focus to Mental Health Awareness Week, themed “Movement: Move More for Mental Health.” The week was packed with events that brought the community together in support of mental health. Our Open Day on May 16th was a standout, offering prize bingo, creative workshops, garden activities, and relaxing head massages!
Thanks to your incredible support, we received £2,500 through match funding from the Big Give #Kind2Mind Campaign, doubling the impact of every donation. We are so thankful to everyone who participated and helped raise awareness for mental health.
Quiz Night Fun & Street Collections
May also saw a lively quiz night that raised an impressive £1,000! With Gary as our energetic quizmaster and Sarah serenading us between rounds, it was a night filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit. The raffle added to the excitement, with everyone eager to win a prize.
Our wonderful Rachel has been tirelessly out and about, collecting donations and spreading the word about Eight Bells. Her dedication has been truly inspiring!
Newbury Pride 2024 & Sponsored Walk
Newbury Pride was a vibrant celebration of diversity, and we had a blast at our stall, especially with the “Guess the Number of Sweets in the Jar” competition. We also had a successful sponsored walk at Snelsmore Common, where members connected with nature and each other, all in support of our drop-in centre.
Mayor’s Summer Concert & SNG Clear-Up Day
In July, our talented Sarah performed at the Mayor of Newbury’s Summer Concert, delighting the audience with her beautiful voice. The concert was a beautiful display of community spirit, highlighted by Sarah’s emotional duet with Gary.
We also participated in the 2nd Community Clear Up Day at the Nightingales Community Centre. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with local residents and raise awareness of Eight Bells’ services.
Thank You!
As summer winds down, we want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed to these events. Your support is what makes all of this possible, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds!
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