Wokingham Borough’s Sikh community recently raised a staggering £3,250 for outgoing Mayor Cllr John Kaiser’s chosen charity for his year in office – the Me2 Club. This was the result of the annual Sikh Vaisakhi procession (Nagar Kirtan), which drummed up support and awareness for the charity.  

During his tenure as Wokingham Borough Mayor, he has helped raise almost £25,000 for the local organisation. The Woodley-based Me2 Club enables children and young people with additional needs and disabilities from the Wokingham Borough (aged between five and 19), to attend mainstream activity clubs.

The club recruits, trains and develops volunteers to provide one-to-one support to young people (or two-to-one when required) at activities of their choice such as Cubs and Brownies, gymnastics, youth groups or swimming. Me2 Club trained volunteers support young people by encouraging them to be independent, participating in the activities alongside them and adapting activities to ensure they can take part.

Cllr John Kaiser, outgoing Mayor, said:  “Wokingham Borough’s Sikh community’s recent fundraising efforts is nothing short of astounding. I’m sure the team at Me2 Club will join me in thanking them for their hard work and efforts in raising £3,250 - money which will continue to help young people with additional needs and disabilities to enjoy mainstream activities available in the local area.”

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, added: “It’s an honour to see the local Sikh Community rally together in support of the Me2 Club. It was inspiring to watch children from Wokingham Borough’s Sikh Community taking part in the procession and raising much needed funds for young people with additional needs.”  

He continued:  “This local charity helps disabled children make the most out of activities that Wokingham Borough Council has to offer, such as youth groups or swimming. Every child deserves the support they require to ensure they can take part.”