Families Thames Valley East Jan/Feb 2021

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Get hatty and help find a cure for brain tumours! Wear A Hat Day is back for 2021! Taking place on Friday 26th March, this is one of the UK’s biggest and most important brain tumour research fundraising and awareness-raising days. After a very challenging year dealing with a Coronavirus pandemic and on the back of their ongoing campaining and successful new petition, Wear A Hat Day 2021 is perfectly timed to become a huge event, bringing hope and inspiring the nation like never before! Thanks to the brilliant charity partnership with Venture Studios, Brain Tumor Research have been gifted with inspirational and uplifting portraits of key worker families who, despite having their own devastating brain tumour stories, are determined to show the joy and positivity that is being involved in Wear A Hat Day.

A sporting chance Pangbourne College prides itself on adding breadth and depth to every individual through its impressive cocurriculum offering. The co-educational day and boarding school is particularly well-known for its sporting opportunities and professional coaching. In recent weeks, Year 11 pupil Connor Jacob qualified for The Junior European Open finals, which is considered the toughest test in junior golf across Europe. Meanwhile, Captain of the 1st XV rugby team, Calum Scott in Year 13, has been awarded England Academy Player status. Within the London Irish club, he is one of a small number with this status and it places him on the pathway towards professional rugby. England Hockey recently showcased Pangbourne student, Megan Fergusson, in one of its ‘inspiring story’ videos. Megan, who was born without her lower left arm, plays in Pangbourne’s 1st team as well as at county level for Basingstoke Ladies. Head coach, Dan Paynter, says: “She always gives 100 per cent in her training sessions. The ambition she has to play at the top level is so impressive and I do believe that her determination will get her there.” Megan adds: “I’ve never let my disability hold me back in life and in Hockey. I’ve adapted and come through stronger as a result and I believe that I can achieve whatever those with two hands can achieve.”

Thames Valley East

T: 07867 / 07753 414605 Join thousands of families across514138 the country and create entertaining hat-themed fundraising E: editor@familiestveast.co.uk events in support of the Brain Tumour Research Little Media, 29 Furrow Way, charity. Whether your eventPeople will take place virtually or in person,Maidenhead there are plentySL6 of ideas, 3 NY resources and a FREE digital fundraising pack available online. To take part, register at www. wearahatday.org Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Wear A Hat Day offers hope for patients as well as their families and friends. Together we will find a cure. www.etonend.org

#WeAreEtonEnd

Slough foster carers continue to support vulnerable children The lockdown has been challenging for many of us. For children who’ve had little stability in their lives, the situation can be worse.

I am Eton End

Co-educational Preparatory Day School for children aged rising 3 - 11 35 Eton Road Dachet Berkshire SL3 9AX 01753 541075 • admin@etonend.org 4

Emily (not her real name) arrived at her new foster carer’s home soon after the lockdown began. Even though she was eight years old, she had not enjoyed many life experiences, at least not ones she could look back on fondly. Emily mentioned to her foster carers that she had never been on holiday, or been to a beach, so a trip to the seaside was arranged and she was in and out of the sea, loving every minute of it. “These are the joys of being a foster carer,” said Karen, a foster carer with Slough Children’s Services Trust. “Seeing that laugh that has never been seen.” Find out more about fostering through Slough Children’s Services Trust, and the support and allowances you will receive, by visiting fosterforslough.com or text FOSTER to 60066.

Maidenhead Windsor Marlow Ascot Slough Egham

‘We Are Tabono’ supports businesses during pandemic and beyond We were lucky enough to be invited along to the female business support company; ‘We Are Tabono’ at the end of 2020. It was during the 2nd lockdown period and so was very refreshing to see how this supportive network helped at a challenging time for many businesses. Indeed the owners, Anna Verghese and Chloë Leibowitz remarked that their business community had ‘come into its own’ during the pandemic and that business owners could share their experiences of operating in some of the toughest circumstances we have ever had to endure. We Are Tabono help with both business and personal support, which meant that members could diversify, take on challenges and look after themselves too. When we joined in the sessions were on zoom (normally there are live sessions of course too). Chloë commented, “Actually the idea of having both virtual and live meetings has been popular and something we’ll take forwards into 2021” she continued, “In the virtual sessions, we all come together, share skills, share suppliers, get on with work and chat when needed. We also have break out sessions for specific issues, so virtual has brought huge benefits as well as the live sessions.’

‘We Are Tabono’ is currently offering a free trial month. www.wearetabono.com/ community-membership/ info@wearetabono.com

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Families Thames Valley East Jan/Feb 2021 by Families Magazine - Issuu