Summer Donation Drive

Support Reading’s vulnerable children and young people this summer by donating clothing and other essentials 

This summer, Reading BID will be supporting Brighter Futures for Children’s annual Summer Activities Programme, aimed at helping young people thrive by providing clothing, toiletries and other essential items.  

Last year, Reading’s businesses supported the Holiday Activities and Food Scheme, collecting donations which provided local childcare provides with over 80 boxes of food, clothes and summer essentials, including 70kg of pasta, 200 toothbrushes and 92 packs of sanitary products.  

This year, we are aiming to support even more young people in Reading. Working on behalf of Reading Borough Council, Brighter Futures for Children co-ordinates the Summer Activities Programme which supports up to 9500 vulnerable children and young people in Reading, including babies and new mums, young carers, care leavers and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.    

We’re asking Reading businesses to support the 2025 Summer Donation Drive by donating to this wonderful cause. Together, we can make this summer brighter for Reading’s young people. 

What can I donate? 

Please donate toiletries, clothes and other essential items to support Brighter Futures for Children’s Summer Activities Scheme this summer. Please only donate items that are new, or in nearly new condition, from the below list: 

For young carers, care leavers and asylum-seeking children: 

• Backpacks 
• School supplies (pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, post-it notes, notepads, pencil cases, folders) 
• School shoes/trainers 
• Basic clothing essentials (underwear/socks/t-shirts/sweatshirts)
• Water bottles
• Toiletries (sanitary items, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush)
• Bed linen (single duvet covers, single bed sheets)
• Waterproof mattress cover/mattress protectors
• Bath towels, flannels
• Washing up liquid, laundry detergent
• Cleaning products (kitchen and bathroom) 
• Food essentials (pasta, soup, rice, tinned goods, cereals, long life milk/juices, sauces)
• Bike helmets (new only) and locks

For mums and babies (includes asylum seeking families and vulnerable women):

• Large holdall bags for items to go in
• Maternity sanitary towels 
• Breast pads
• Comfortable knickers (dark coloured) 
• Dressing gowns and nighties 
• Slippers or flip flops 
• Small & large towels (dark coloured), flannels
• Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo & conditioner) 
• Hairbrushes
• Nappies, tissues, cotton wool, water wipes
• Newborn clothing (baby grows, sleepsuits, vests, scratch mitts, hats for leaving hospital) 
• Muslin cloths
• Small cellular blankets for leaving hospital

Where and when can I donate? 

If you work in any of these buildings, you can drop off donations at reception between 16 June – 17 July 2025:

• Abbey Gardens
• Abbey Wharf
• Abbots House
• Apex
• Aquis House
• Davidson House
• 2 Forbury
• 3 Forbury
• One Station Hill
• One Valpy
• R+
• Reading Business Centre
• Spaces.
• Thames Tower
• The Blade
• The Brick Works
• The White Building
• Train Station Building
• Twelve
• Visa

If your office isn’t hosting a donation point, don't worry - you can still get involved! This year, there'll be a public donation point at Reading Station, which will be open for donations between Monday 14 – Thursday 17 July.

We're looking for volunteers to assist with receiving and sorting donations at the public drop-off point at Reading Station. If you can volunteer just two hours of your time during those days, please consider signing up to help here.