Reading BID's 2025 Summer Donation Drive a Huge Success 

8th September 2025

Reading Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with Brighter Futures for Children, is delighted to report the success of this year’s Summer Donation Drive. The initiative saw local businesses and residents come together to support vulnerable children, young people and families across Reading. 

Thanks to the generosity of the community, this year’s campaign collected donations of 35 kg of pasta and rice, more than 300 toiletries products, over 200 clothing items from baby grows to children’s shoes and much more. The donations will go directly to support children and families who rely on Brighter Futures for Children’s Summer Activities Programme, helping to ease hardship and bring comfort over the summer holidays. 

Working on behalf of Reading Borough Council, Brighter Futures for Children supports up to 9,500 vulnerable young people each summer, including babies and new mums, young carers, care leavers and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. This year's donation drive supported the Summer Activities Programme, meeting crucial needs from school supplies and food to hygiene products and newborn essentials. 

This year’s drive builds on the momentum of 2024, when Reading businesses collected over 80 boxes of items. This year, Reading BID expanded the donation drive by opening donations to the wider public, as well as hosting on-site collection points at 26 office buildings around the town centre. A pop-up donation point for the public ran from 14–17 July at Reading Station, run by volunteers from local businesses. 

Joseph Pegg, Holidays, Activities and Food (HAF) Provider, Brighter Futures for Children, said: “This Summer Donation Drive shows families in Reading that people genuinely care and that there’s a network of support out there. It’s about breaking down barriers and helping every child, no matter their background, to have a fairer chance. Each donation is one more step toward levelling the playing field.” 

Alexa Volker, Manager of Reading BID, said: “As the cost of living continues to rise, the support from our local community local people is more vital than ever. Reading has shown what’s possible when a community comes together with both compassion and action.   

“Thanks to the generosity of our local businesses and residents, we’ve matched last year’s fantastic achievement and collected over 80 boxes. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we hope you’ll continue to stand alongside us next year. Let’s be an even bigger support to our local young people in 2026.”