With £200,000 already raised, Royal Berks Charity is asking the community to help complete its £300,000 anniversary equipment appeal.
At Christmas, time with the people we love can feel like the most precious gift of all. When illness turns everyday life upside down, a familiar voice or a few quiet moments together can mean more than ever.
This Christmas, Royal Berks Charity is asking local people to help raise the final £100,000 of its 30th Anniversary Equipment Appeal, funding new medical equipment for patients across Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the appeal is already two-thirds of the way towards its £300,000 target. The charity hopes the festive season will bring the community together for one final push, turning a year of celebration into support for patients long after the decorations come down.
The appeal includes equipment such as Apoplex heart-monitoring devices for the Stroke Unit, RITA devices that use music, pictures and activities to support people living with dementia, and infusion pumps for the Battle Day Unit.
Behind each piece of equipment is someone facing a difficult time, and a team working to care for them. The appeal will help give NHS staff additional tools to support patients through those moments, with improvements that go beyond standard NHS provision.
Jo Warrior, Charity Director says:
“Christmas reminds us how much the ordinary moments matter. Sitting beside someone you love, sharing a familiar song, simply having time together. When someone is unwell, those moments can feel especially precious.
“Our community has already helped raise £200,000, and we are so grateful to everyone who has brought us this far. With £100,000 still to raise, we have the chance to finish our anniversary year by reaching our target and helping fund equipment for the people our NHS teams care for every day.
“If you can give this Christmas, please help us take that final step. Together, we can turn the kindness of our community into lasting support for local patients.”
Come together at the NHS Christmas Concert
Supporters can also celebrate the season at Royal Berks Charity’s NHS Christmas Concert at Reading Minster on Friday 4 December 2026. Doors open at 6.30pm, with the concert running from 7pm to 9pm.
Hosted by Sangeeta Bhabra and supported by headline sponsor Francis Construction, the evening will feature Take Note Choir, The Barberettes, Avenue and Emmer Green Primary School Choir. It is a chance to gather with friends and family, enjoy festive music and show support for the local NHS.
Tickets cost £12 for adults and £6 for children aged 5–16, with free entry for under-fives. Optional booking fees apply.
Book tickets: www.royalberkscharity.co.uk/nhschristmasconcert
To find out more about the Christmas Appeal or make a donation, visit royalberkscharity.co.uk or call 0118 322 8860.
