Newbury Soup Kitchen Secures Over £60,000 at Fundraising Event

The individual who established a soup kitchen expressed her “incredibly proud” sentiment after a charity auction and dinner successfully generated more than £60,000. This gathering, organized to support the Newbury Soup Kitchen located in Berkshire, saw the presence of its patron, popstar Will Young. The roles of master of ceremonies and auctioneer were filled by television personality Rob Rinder. Meryl Praill, the chief executive who established the charitable organization in 2017, commented that the evening demonstrated the “remarkable support” the charity had garnered. Attendees were served a three-course meal prepared by chef Tom Scade and his culinary team at The Vineyard Hotel. Local businesses, specifically Pro-Vision, Camp Hopson, Flowerpot Café, Mia Fiore, Gourmet Pasta Company, The Damson, and The Vineyard, contributed prizes for the raffle. Ms Praill said: “Having Will Young as our patron and the infectious support of Rob Rinder is more than I could ever of imagined.”Homelessness and people living in poverty is rising – together we can make a difference it’s about communities coming together.“The occasion highlighted the remarkable support, community spirit, and generosity throughout the town.” Earlier, Ms Praill had indicated that this year’s fundraising effort held increased significance as the charity is required to secure a new premises by March 2025. She said: “These incredible funds will help towards our running costs, outreach and new building plans for 2025.”I am incredibly humbled.“To everyone who attended, our volunteers, supporters, and all who contributed to the evening’s success, we extend our heartfelt gratitude.“You are the driving force behind our ability to make a meaningful impact in the community.” For updates, BBC Berkshire can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.