Review of 2021: Good news stories from Berkshire
There was much to celebrate in Berkshire throughout 2021.
His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex with representatives from Berkshire Community Foundation. Image: Stewart Turkington.
Following a year gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, many were hoping 2021 would be a fresh new start for us all.
The year began with England entering its third national lockdown and legal limits on social contact only lifted on June 21.
On a local level, people have stepped up to the challenges and continued to support their communities.
From fantastic fundraising and fabulous volunteers to achieving milestones and launching community initiatives, there has been much to celebrate in Berkshire this year.
For the last 12 days, we took a look back at the good news stories to come from Berkshire month by month. Here, you can find all the articles in the series.
January
In January:
- Friends completed January challenge to raise money for Reading hospice.
- Reading entrepreneur along with six others from the South East won national award.
- Maidenhead junior school got special online visit from MP Theresa May.
- Frontline heroes recognised in Berkshire bus company's award scheme.
- MCKS Charitable Foundation UK donated £20,000 to Bracknell children’s fostering charity.
February
In February:
- Reading family spread the love with charity raffle for hospice.
- Reading bus operator celebrated frontline winners of the GEM Awards.
- Reading food scientist won a lifetime achievement award.
- Kind-hearted volunteers delivered food packages to a Berkshire village.
- Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service rescue a deer trapped in a fence in Reading.
March
In March:
- Artists sold limited edition prints to raise money for Reading charity Make-A-Wish UK.
- Bracknell planning professionals tackled homelessness in charity sleep out.
- Disabled Wokingham mum travelled distance of Land's End to John o' Groats to raise money for specialist wheelchair.
- Wokingham woman walked 100km in memory of her uncle.
- Smart Works Reading's cycling challenge raised over £26,300 to support local women in need.
April
In April:
- £375,270 Arts Council grant allowed the music to play on for Berkshire Maestros.
- Artistic Newbury pupil won design competition to wish residents a happy Easter.
- Reading school pupil won top prize in national cooking competition.
- SO Resi Maidenhead celebrated fundraising success for women's charity Womankind Worldwide.
- Newbury school launched monthly book club for children in local community.
May
In May:
- Reading man took on a year-long 1,200-mile running challenge for charity.
- Newbury great-grandmother walked 70 miles to raise money after lung cancer operation.
- Reading artist won international illustration contest.
- Sisters took on 100km challenge for Reading hospice in tribute to their mum and aunt.
- Doctor went the extra mile for Reading's Sue Ryder hospice by walking a double marathon.
June
In June:
- Smart Works Reading received The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
- Brother and sister duo ran 90 miles along Kennet and Avon Canal from Reading to Bristol for charity.
- Bracknell care home helped a charity garden bloom.
- Royal Berkshire Fire Authority donated equipment to Gambia Fire and Ambulance Service.
- BBC shined a light on Newbury College student Tofe's plight.
July
In July:
- Bracknell woman overcame chronic pain to publish a children's book inspired by her Romanian rescue dog.
- Reading student won top prize at digital awards.
- Football fans raised over £1000 for Reading charity during Euros.
- Local charity organised 100-meter sensory walk in Windsor for people with disabilities.
- Greenham man walked to raise money for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in memory of mum.
August
In August:
- Newbury pupils announced as winners of the Primary Science Challenge.
- Reading HR Director quit city for new path from Land's End to John O'Groats.
- Shinfield mum took on 100km challenge for breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel.
- Daredevil pair skydived for Berkshire charity Daisy's Dream.
- ‘A reyt good time’ was had at a Bracknell care home to celebrate Yorkshire Day.
September
In September:
- Maidenhead colleagues took on Thames Path Challenge to raise money for charity.
- Giant sunflowers brought cheer to children and charities across the South East.
- Reading bus driver won award for communicating in sign language with a five-year-old.
- HRH The Earl of Wessex met Berkshire volunteers at a celebration tea in Ascot.
- A paw-fect party not to hiss out on as Shinfield residents enjoyed an afternoon with animals.
October
In October:
- Ascot man took on the London Marathon in memory of his brother.
- Berkshire firefighters ran the London Marathon in full kit for The Fire Fighters Charity.
- Newbury school welcomed National Youth Jazz Orchestra to the International Newbury Spring Festival.
- Reading woman took on Strictly dance challenge for deaf children.
- Fundraising success for Reading hospice's star bakers.
November
In November:
- Friends took on Reading Half Marathon for local hospice.
- Bracknell care home residents took part in a worldwide art festival.
- Newbury students honoured the fallen on the annual day of remembrance.
- New minibuses opened up world of opportunity for Whitley children.
- Thames Valley police officers were nominated for National Police Bravery Awards.
December
In December:
- Newbury care home residents enjoyed pet therapy with new fluffy friends.
- Berkshire charity helped schoolchildren enjoy benefits of gardening.
- Newbury College jingled all the way for charity Christmas Jumper Day.
- AWE supported charities in Reading for Christmas.
- Reading artist launched print to raise money for charity in memory of his daughter.
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