Berkshire charity gives more than £460,000 to women’s organisations

OVER £460,000 has been distributed to 15 different charities and community groups across Berkshire to help tackle women and girls’ issues.

Berkshire Community Foundation, which works across the county to raise and donate money to vital causes, gave out over 66 grants in its 2020/2021 financial year.

These figures were announced at the charity’s Together for Women event, which was held on Friday, November 5, at Monkey Island Estate, in Bray.

It was attended by Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead, and sponsored by businesses, including CCLA, Conference Contacts, Monkey Island Estate and Reckitt.

Over lunch, 80 female leaders in Berkshire’s corporate, civil and charitable sector heard an update on the charity’s Together for Women fund.

Launched in 2019, the fund helps tackle women’s issues, ranging from domestic abuse and homelessness to financial hardship, exploitation and modern slavery.

Gerry Lejeune OBE DL,

CEO of Berkshire Community Foundation, said: “The problems of sexual abuse, modern slavery and domestic violence are historical and ongoing in Berkshire, exacerbated by isolation and poverty.

“Thankfully, a lot is being done behind the scenes by the Thames Valley Police, statutory agencies and voluntary groups to ensure support is in place.”

She added: “By bringing an interested, influential and important group of women together today, we hope to continue raising the profile of these crucial topics and, importantly, raise funds that enable us to support charities that provide women and girls a lifeline when it is most needed.”

A silent auction, held together with the event, raised £5,000 and is set to close on Friday, November 12.

Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Together for Women initiative, funding groups and activities across Berkshire that provide support to those in need.

Pei-Leeng Yeoh, marketing manager of Monkey Island Estate and YTL Hotels, was delighted to host the event.

She said: “As a hotel in Berkshire, lots of our staff and guests live locally, and we are so proud to support the local community, the Berkshire Community Foundation and all the great things that they do for vital causes in the area.”