Last season was the first time that the club had an official charity and we were delighted to welcome Launchpad in to ‘The Pride of Reading’. Over the past year we have been working together to prevent homelessness in Reading which has seen our senior squads warm up in t-shirts kindly donated to us by Launchpad to raise awareness of their work and to highlight our commitment to helping to end homelessness in Reading throughout the season.
Members of the city faithful will have also seen represenatives from Launchpad collecting at games here at the Rivermoor Stadium, the hub of Reading’s football community throughout the season and we thank everyone who has kindly donated to our charitable partner. Working with our online ticketing partner, TicketPass we have also been able to donate 50% of the booking fee to Launchpad from every season ticket, membership, or general admission ticket we sold throughout the season.
Away from football, we were also given the oppurtunity to feature in Launchpad’s annual Pancake Race this year with our loveable mascot Lawsey the Lion appearing as part of Launchpad’s official team.
Ryan Sheehan, our Marketing, Communications & Community Engagement Executive had this to say:
“We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with Launchpad for at least another season and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner as they’ve been incredibly supportive towards the club by donating warm-up t-shirts to our senior squads, attending games throughout the season and allowing us the oppurtunity to be a part of the annual Reading Pancake Race, a huge event for the community and we will forever be grateful for that oppurtunity. I’m really excited to be working with Launchpad again and after the success of our partnership this year we’ll be looking at ways to raise even more money once the new season begins.”
Fiona Keyte, Fundraising Manager at Launchpad had this to say:
“We’re thrilled that Reading City FC have decided to extend their charitable partnership with Launchpad for another season. It has been great to build a close partnership with the club and to be able to spread the word about the work that we do in preventing homelessness in Reading to their supporters. Last year, with a 30% increase in demand for our services, we helped over 1,400 who were facing a housing crisis, highlighting the importance of what we do. Fundraising is vital for the continuation of our services and we so are grateful to the support of the club, enabling us to fundraise at games and benefit from the ticket sales. I’m excited to see what this season holds.”
-ENDS-
Note to editors
For more information, high resolution images or spokespeople, please contact:
Rick Lay, Marketing Manager rick.lay@launchpadreading.org.uk
T: 0118 950 7656 M: 0759 3437 309
Ryan Sheehan, Marketing, Communications & Community Engagement Executive
Mobile: 07546349992
About Launchpad:
Launchpad started life as a soup kitchen in 1979, founded by students at the University of Reading. Forty-five years later we have grown into Reading’s leading homelessness prevention charity.
We want everyone in Reading to have their own home and the opportunity for a positive future. We are working to achieve this goal in three ways:•We provide temporary homes with bespoke support for over 140 people in Reading. In some cases, 24 hour a day, seven days a week. Our homes include a specialist service for women, and 40 modular homes for people with complex needs.
Additionally, we have 12 long-term homes in the town for people in housing need.
•We run a drop-in service from our office in Reading town centre. This service is open to anyone who is homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless. We can provide guidance and legal advice to help overcome any housing-related challenges.
• We help vulnerable people learn new skills and gain employment at our work and life skills centre, Launchpad 135.
Last year, we helped over 1,400 people in housing crisis. This included people sleeping rough, people facing unlawful eviction, people who were sofa surfing. As well as people struggling with mental health, debt, and addiction.
With the support and generosity of Reading residents, last year, we helped over 1,100 people in housing crisis – which included rough sleepers, people facing unlawful eviction, sofa surfers, people in emergency B&Bs, and those struggling with mental health, debt and addiction.
For more information about Launchpad, or to donate, visit: launchpadreading.org.uk
About Reading City Football Club:
Reading City Football Club, commonly known as The Cityzens are a non-profitable, grassroots community-based football club based at the Rivermoor Stadium, located in Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading and are proudly affiliated to the Berkshire & Buckinghamshire Football Association and an England Football Accredited Club.
Our formation came as part of Highmoor AFC’s 50 year celebration in 2018.
Club secretary, Chris Gallimore took over the role in 1990 and recruited, the now chairman, Martin Law, to become first team manager in 1992 and between them assembled a strong squad of players and success was to follow. The club thrived, with regular promotions, league and cup doubles, being the first club to win the current Thames Valley Premier League unbeaten. The reserves are still the only reserve side to win the same Reading Step 7 League. After winning the league promotion to the Uhlsport Hellenic League in 2012 meant moving and playing at Palmer Park, the current location here at The Rivermoor was secured in 2018 and after 50 years it was decided to change the name to Reading City. This decision was not taken lightly however the community of Reading has yearned for a semi-professional club behind Reading Football Club to represent Reading and give local players the opportunity to play for a Reading based team as Reading.
The pathway for the club begins with the Sunday morning development centre for 4–6-year olds through to our First Team. This pathway will become the life blood of the club, over the coming years.
For more information about Reading City Football Club, visit www.readingcityfc.co.uk
