I have clearly decided that I am simply not busy or tired enough so, with the help and support of Pedro, my friends, family and local gym I have entered the Reading South Chilterns Sportive cycling event on 31st July 2011!  90 miles of hard slog on one of the hottest days of the year.  No problem!  

I will be riding in aid of Launchpad Reading, a charity and cause very close to my heart.  I have attached a bit about what we do below but you can read more at www.launchpadreading.org.uk. 

I know that we are all working hard and feeling broke but every little really does help.  It is a fantastic cause, run by a committed team who genuinely want to make a difference.  I hope you can help us! 

Thank you in advance for your support!

What is Launchpad About?

 

 

As Reading’s largest independent housing charity, Launchpad works to break the cycle of homelessness and overcome social exclusion by providing affordable, well maintained and safe supported accommodation which can offer the stability needed to give our clients a real chance of succeeding.

 

Launchpad (formerly the Reading Single Homeless Project) started off as a soup kitchen in the 1970s but was formally registered as a charity in November 1979.  We recently celebrated our 30^th anniversary and we are looking forward to continuing the crucial work we do for another 30 years.   

 

We look after 58 properties which can offer beds for up to 105 people as well as offering support for a further 50 people at any given time.  However, we recognise that just providing a roof over someone’s head is not always enough to give them a realistic opportunity to progress onto independent living and a sustainable tenancy.  And so we also provide support for rehabilitation alongside vocational, recreational and therapeutic opportunities such as healthy living initiatives, drug and alcohol counselling, practical skills and assistance with the more complex aspects of modern life. 

 

We are committed to helping our clients restore a sense of pride and independence by offering the chance of a fresh start unencumbered by the reasons they found themselves in our care.