Charity 'blown away' after warehouse help plea

Becky Russell said the charity was grateful for the community's help

A charity was "blown away" by offers of help after being told it needed to move its base for a project that gifts presents to thousands of children at Christmas.

The Cowshed was given a month to leave a space at Winnersh Triangle it uses to prepare 2,500 packs for those who might otherwise go without.

A property company allowed the charity to use the space until a commercial tenant was interested and, with a new company set to move in, it must leave.

Becky Russell, the charity's operations manager, said help from the community was "phenomenal" after it made a last-ditch call for assistance on Tuesday.

"It's been overwhelming and emotional for the team to see the kind of response out there of people who are really trying to help with this," she said.

"It's been a difficult year for the charity sector and for the Cowshed, with lots of sleepless nights and worrying about continuing our service. The last option was to put this plea out."

The Cow Shed will move out to its temporary space in Earley on Thursday

She added: "It's an amazing project. These are children that may not receive gifts, that may have fled domestic violence, [who are in] temporary accommodation and are facing financial struggles."

The Cowshed's project will move temporarily into the warehouse of Earley-based maternity gifts company Bumbles & Boo.

It hopes to secure a more permanent solution in the coming months.

Frasers Property UK said it had supported the Cowshed with the space for three years and is "proud to support" it.

"It was agreed with The Cowshed that the space was only made available to it until such time as the property could be let on commercial terms," a spokesperson said.

"Frasers Property continues to support The Cowshed as its nominated charity at Winnersh Triangle."