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NEWBURYNEWS THATCHAMNEWS Cheers for Thom and friends along 20-mile Tourette’s ride Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, October 29, 2020 21

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s fundraiserraises£3,000andawarenesosfthesyndrome

NewsupdatesfromThatchamare now availableonlinethroughouttheweek.Go to newburytoday.co.ukand select the districtpages

A KENNET School pupil has raised more than £3,000 for a char- ity close to his heart. Thom Read organised and completed a 20-mile sponsored bike ride around Greenham Common and surrounding areas in September. He set off with the aim of raising a modest £250 for Tourette’s Action, but he said he was “truly amazed” after donations hit £2,715.00 (£3,281.53 with Gift Aid), including a £1,000 mystery donation which was made following a Newbury Weekly News report. Thom, who is in Year 9, has Tourette’s syndrome, which causes people to make involuntary sounds and movements called tics. These vary from blinking and grunting, to saying random words, phrases and swearing. Thom said: “I feel that we have gone over and above the amount of money we intended to raise for Tourette’s Action. “We aimed for £250 and finished with an outstanding £3,200. “The amount of support both through donations and on the cycle itself was immense. It was truly amazing to see just how many people came together to support a charity that means so much to me.” Thom said that he chosen the char- ity to raise awareness of Tourette’s syndrome. He said: “Tourette’s Action is so important to me as Tourette’s is a genetic syndrome which runs in my

family and it’s a syndrome that does affect me. “It makes me do and say things that I am unable to control and it’s so important to raise awareness of this as many still don’t know what Tourette’s is and it’s so misunder- stood. “Tourette’s is known for just being uncontrollable swearing, however this is simply an unfair stereotype that people use to pretend they know what the syndrome is, when in fact swearing is only a very small part of having Tourette’s Syndrome. “Most of it is physical tics, like twitching and head nodding. “However, there are tics that happen in your head which are totally invisi- ble to the naked eye. It’s so important to understand Tourette’s and not to stereotype people with it, that’s why the charity is so important to me.” Thom and his friends Oliver Craigie, Megan Dempsie, Lottie Carpenter and Jason Martin completed the ride before the rule of six coronavirus guidance came into force last month. Several parents rode along in support. Friends and neighbours turned out to cheer on and congratulate the riders at the finish line at Thatcham Town Football Club. They were presented with certificates and goody bags, including homemade cakes and treats. Thom said: “The ride was amazing and a special thanks to Kate Dempsie for planning the route, it was so fun

Police break up party POLICE disrupted a large organised party in Thatcham last Thursday night. A large group was beginning to gather at Lawrence’s Lane when the Newbury and Thatcham Neighbourhood Policing Team arrived. The group was given “strong words of advice” and was dispersed quickly. West Berkshire is currently in the ‘medium’ risk tier of coronavirus restrictions, the lowest tier. This means pubs and restaurants must close by 10pm and all people must adhere to the rule of six, both indoors and outdoors.

ThomRead

and everyone worked so hard. I’m so happy that we managed to do the ride before the rule of six as it really wouldn’t have felt the same without everyone there riding together.” Thom said he was not planning any further fundraisers for the char- ity at this stage because of Covid-19 restrictions but would consider another event when safe to do so. His parents Jamie and Helen said: “We are immensely proud of Thom for setting this whole event up himself, but also of all of the young

people who rode and helped to raise the sponsorship, Thom, Oliver Craigie, Megan Dempsie, Lottie Carpenter and Jason Martin. “We would also like to thank every- one who turned out to cheer the along the route, and of course every- one who sponsored the ride, espe- cially a shout out for the mystery donor who gave £1,000 after the last NWN article. “We have no idea who it was, but heartfelt thanks for your amazing support.”

‘Unlucky’ 13th annual Kennet school reunion marked by group founders

THE founding members of the Kennet Group marked its 13th anniversary after theirmainevent was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. David and Marion Canning held a small ceremony to mark the occasion at their home in Aldermaston. The couple, whomet onKennet School ’s opening day in 1957, founded the group for former pupils to keep in touch. Mr Canning said: “We kept thinking as time wore on, perhaps we can do this or that, and tried to work out some ways we could arrange some kind of meet up, but everything went against us. “If you book a table at a pub, who do you ask, you don ’t want to upset anyone. “The same at the school. Could one maintain social distancing, even if we met outside? “The rules are so confusing. It

would be very awkward as people would want to mingle and chat. “Then the school has enough problems of its own so we would probably not be welcome anyhow. “Whatever way you look at it, by the beginning of October it was obvious nothing could be done.” Mr and Mrs Canning said that not all members could meet online and that they had been looking forward to seeing people who said they would make a special effort to attend this year’s reunion. Mr Canning said: “We felt we had to mark the 13th anniversary somehow. “It just can’t go by like that, so that’s why we are cutting this little cake and raisinga glass and hoping that we can meet again for the 14th.” Mr and Mrs Canning wished the best to the Kennet Group and everyone at Kennet School.

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HartsHillRoadclosure HARTS Hill Road in Thatcham will be partially closed for six weeks. The road will be closed between its junctions with Marsh Road and Floral Way. The closure is expected to be in place from Friday, November 6, to Friday, December 18, to allow Thames Water to replace the mains network. The alternative route for all vehicles affected is via Floral Way, London Road (A4) and vice versa. Residential access will be maintained throughout and the diversion will be signed on site, but there will be no blue light access through the closure.

RBLpoppycollectionstall THATCHAM Royal British Legion will be collecting for the Poppy Appeal in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday. Poppy collectors will not be able to collect in supermarkets this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the Thatcham RBL branch will be holding its usual pop-up stall in the Kingsland Centre near Lloyds Bank tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, Tuesday, November 3, November 4, 6 and 7. The branch said: “We look forward to seeing you all and hope in these tough times you can spare some change for the amazing work we do.”

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