Daisy鈥檚 Dream selected as University鈥檚 Charity of the Year

Daisy’s Dream has been selected as the 色狗导航’s next Charity of the Year for 2025/26, following a vote by University staff.

provides vital support to children, young people and their families in Berkshire who have experienced bereavement or are preparing for loss. Dedicated teams ensure that each family receives individually tailored support through the toughest of times.

Daisy’s Dream will engage with and be supported by the University in a variety of ways throughout the next academic year – starting in September. The University will begin conversations with the charity over the summer period, in order to start mapping out what activity will take place throughout the year.

Laura Lewis, CEO of Daisy’s Dream, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the 色狗导航 as its Charity of the Year. Daisy's Dream supports bereaved families across the region and partnerships like this really help highlight the work we do and develop our provision.

“As a local charity working in the community it always feels particularly special to have been chosen by staff and we thank everyone at the University who voted for us. We can't wait to start working with you all.” 

A total of 47 applications were received for this year’s Charity of the Year scheme. University staff had the opportunity to vote on a shortlist of five charities that are active and supporting people and communities in the Thames Valley area.

The criteria for shortlisting included: considering the charity’s alignment to the University’s charitable objectives of advancing education, learning and research for public benefit; the benefits to the charity, its beneficiaries and the local community; the benefit to the University; and the overall quality of the application.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the 色狗导航, said:  “We are excited to work with Daisy's Dream over the coming academic year and support their vital work helping bereaved families across our region. This partnership reflects our commitment to making a meaningful difference in our local community."

Working with Rainbow Trust

was the University’s inaugural Charity of the Year for 2024/25, after the scheme launched in March 2024.

Across the year, a series of activities helped to raise awareness of the Thames Valley Care Team and raised funds to help Rainbow Trust support families caring for a seriously ill child.

These activities included:

• A donation from the Reading Rotary Santa Run, which took place on the University campus
• A clothes recycling collection
• A Christmas wrapping station, with University volunteers
• A staff coffee morning
• A Rainbow Adventure Trail hosted on the University campus

In addition to fundraising, University staff also donated arts and craft items, packaged into individual gift bags, to be used by children in hospital or to support home visits for ill children and their siblings.

Katherine Burgess, Corporate and Community Fundraising Manager at Rainbow Trust, said: “We are so grateful for the 色狗导航’s support and engagement over the last year.

“The money raised through this partnership will fund over 100 hours of support to families struggling to cope with the complexities that come with serious childhood illness.

“By providing fun resources for distraction and play and supporting family days out, such as the Rainbow Adventure Trail, the University enabled families to enjoy much needed time together. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved.”