John Sykes Foundation donations

Karen Neville

The John Sykes Foundation works to improve the lives and wellbeing of the community in Reading through its donations to local charities and good causes

A £5,000 donation from John Sykes Foundation will help even more young people to improve their lives and wellbeing. 

The donation to No5 Young People which supports those aged 11 to 25 in Reading will help the mental health charity continue its invaluable work. 

During the presentation, the charity were delighted to find the £5,000 had been match funded to £10,000 through the Big Give Christmas Campaign in December. The funding will provide accessible counselling and mental health support for local young people, helping to reduce waiting times and improve service availability. 

John Sykes said: “The work of No5 Young People for the mental health and well-being of young people in Reading is truly invaluable. It is heart-breaking to see the increasing demand for their services and the challenges of meeting that need. We are proud to support this amazing charity and hope this donation will help them reach even more young people who are struggling and improve their lives and wellbeing.” 

The No5 team shared the current pressures on their services, with rising referrals highlighting the growing mental health challenges faced by young people today. The charity also shared updates on initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges and improving access to support. 

Carly Newman, Operations and Relationships Manager at No5 Young People, expressed the charity’s gratitude for the ongoing support: “Thank you for coming and for another generous donation to support our work and local young people’s mental health.” 

The donation to No5 Young People follows on from a donation of more than £1,200 to Saving Abandoned Fly-Grazing Equines (SAFE), a Swallowfield-based charity, run entirely by volunteers dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned, abused and neglected horses. 

The funding will be used to purchase mud mats, an essential resource for ensuring the welfare of horses during wet and muddy conditions. The mats help stabilise the ground, reducing mud build-up, preventing injuries to the horses, and providing them with a safer, cleaner and more comfortable environment, enhancing their recovery and quality of life. 

“We are honoured to support SAFE and their incredible work in rescuing and caring for horses in need,” John said. “It’s heart-warming to see how this charity makes a difference, not just to the animals but also to the wider community by raising awareness about horse welfare. The mud mats may seem like a small addition, but they will have a big impact on the safety and well-being of these animals.”