South East charities awarded £10k from The Cadbury Foundation

Four charities from across the South East have been chosen by Reading-based employees at Mondelēz International to each receive a grant of £2,500.

Thames Hospice, New Beginnings, Wokingham Youth Counselling and Information (ARC) and Alexander Devine Children Hospice Service have received the substantial sum from The Cadbury Foundation, as part of its ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ scheme.

Each year, Mondelēz International employees from across the UK are invited to nominate wellbeing-related charities or projects close to their hearts to receive a large donation, with the final shortlisted charities voted for by the wider workforce.

New Beginnings provides invaluable services to the community, assisting local people in need with somewhere warm to sleep, food, drink and essential items. For more than five years, the Reading-based charity has been dedicated to helping local people who need support, and thanks to regional Mondelēz International employees, will use its £2,500 grant to contribute towards the running costs of the Queen Arms - the head office for the charity.

Ran primarily by volunteers, ARC offers confidential counselling in a safe environment to anybody locally who needs support. The Wokingham-based charity provides its services free-of-charge to under 18s and offers an affordable rate for young people and adults, ensuring the local community are able to access support and guidance as required. The counselling charity will use the donation to provide one-on-one sessions for local young people who due to anxiety, are not able to attend school.

Thames Hospice and Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service provide specialist care and support to local children and young people. Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service have planned to use the donation towards its family support programme to ensure families have access to the staff, resources and activities they need to support their mental wellbeing. Meanwhile, Thames Hospice were able to support five local families who had lost a loved one with six one-to-one counselling sessions, thanks to the contribution from The Cadbury Foundation.

Peter Rooney, Head of Quality at Reading Scientific Services Ltd (a subsidiary of Mondelez International), nominated Thames Hospice to receive the bursary. Peter commented: “Thames Hospice provided my late wife with incredible care in the latter stages of her battle with bowel cancer. As well as the care they offered my wife, they also supported my whole family during such a terrible time, and provided free-of-charge, compassionate and caring care round-the-clock.

“In the darkest of times, they truly were the shining light. I’m delighted to know that because of my nomination, they have received such a generous grant and can use this sum to continue providing their outstanding care to the local community in need.”

Jenni Green, lead for trusts and legacies at Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, added: “We are delighted to have been selected for one of the ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ grant from The Cadbury Foundation. This donation will make a real difference to local children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families, particularly those accessing our family support which is where the donation will be going.”

The Cadbury Foundation was set up in 1935 in recognition of Richard and George Cadbury and their investment in the welfare of their employees and the local community, and to continue their work. Across all Mondelēz International UK sites, £77,000 has been pledged for this year’s ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ initiative.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, said: “Supporting fantastic charities and projects which make a real difference to the lives of so many each year, is exactly what The Cadbury Foundation is all about. We’re delighted to know that these grants will enable the charities to continue providing incredible work and support to the local community.”

For more information on The Cadbury Foundation, please visit www.cadbury.co.uk/about/impact/cadbury-foundation/