Presentation Meeting 11th May 2026

We invited representatives from nine charities to come to a special presentation meeting we held in May to receive a share of the £7,600 raised through our Santa Sleigh Collection in December and our Annual Quiz and Ploughman’s Supper in March.

The charities we invited were: The Roxi Foundation, CALM, Swindon Alzheimer’s, Swindon Community First Responders, Change Lives No to Knives, Wiltshire Treehouse, Headway, Big Breakfast Plus and Threshold.

We were also joined at the meeting by members of the Inner Wheel Club of North Wiltshire, who donated their half share of the proceeds from the Quiz and Ploughman’s Supper to CALM.

Charity representatives attending were John Morgan (The Roxi Foundation), Fran and Richard Robinson (CALM), Sharon Dobson (Swindon Community First Responders), Jordan Turner and Tim Swimburne (Change Lives No to Knives), Sarah Bear (Wiltshire Treehouse), Sonia De Blaquiere and Caroline Gardiner (Headway), Sophie Boyce and Clair Collier (Big Breakfast Plus) and Ben Harman (Threshold).

We know that the money will be put to good use by these charities and will enable them to continue their vital work in our local community.   This work includes support for people affected by homelessness, bereavement, brain injury, autism and ADHD, and programmes focused on community safety, emergency response and wider family support.

We have received the following messages -

“We are dedicated to educating young people about the dangers and consequences of knife crime.  Your donation will help us continue delivering our workshops, expand our outreach within schools, prisons, and community groups, and provide more life-saving equipment and support to those who need it most. Thank you again for believing in our mission and helping us make a difference.”  Jordan Turner. Change Lives No to Knives

“This meaningful gift will help us to offer safe, comfortable homes for local people who would otherwise be homeless, while supporting them with whatever challenges may be holding them back from achieving independence.”  Rachel Harris, Threshold Housing Link.
 
“As  a small local charity attracting funds can prove challenging.  Your donation will help us to deliver our bereavement support groups within Swindon & Wiltshire, funding the induction and training for a new volunteer. Every year this will see hundreds of children, young people and their families supported with their grief.  A lasting impact for the local community.”  Sarah Bear, Wiltshire Treehouse.

“Headway is dedicated to supporting individuals who have experienced a brain injury.  Our mission is to help them rebuild confidence, regain lost abilities and develop new skills that promote independence and improve overall quality of life.  Your donation will directly support our Music Therapy programme. Music Therapy is especially powerful for individuals recovering from a brain injury because it can stimulate language pathways, support emotional expression, and build social connection in ways traditional therapies sometimes cannot.”  Caroline Gardiner, Headway.

“We are dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by autism and ADHD, empowering them through community events, advocacy & grants for private assessments.  Through outreach and partnerships we champion awareness, inspire hope, and create a lasting, positive change.  Your donation will help us create a new website to expand our reach and offer an AI-integrated resource centre to guide families toward the help they need faster and more intelligently.”  John Morgan, The Roxi Foundation.

"On behalf of the Swindon CFRs charity, we would like to express our sincere thank you for your incredibly generous donation. Your support is greatly appreciated and will make a real difference to the service we are able to provide within our local communities."  Swindon & North East Wiltshire Community First Responders