Travel Tales
Local photographer Charlotte Broster has produced a colourful calendar for 2010 with all proceeds going to Building for the Future.

The desk top style calendar is made up of 12 stunning images from Charlotte's travels around Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Charlotte was struck by the charming children she encountered and by the vibrant local scenes of daily life that she saw. Each picture tales a tale of Asian life and each one is remarkably different yet similar in its appeal.

Ordinarily Charlotte takes photos of local people right here in Wokingham in her studio on the Reading Road. She is a celebrated local photographer of babies, weddings and more.

Here is a sample of her work when she accompanied BFTF children on an afternoon out at Dinton Pastures.

You can buy the calendar (or the images) separately at www.charlottebrosterphotography.co.uk

Giving is Nirvana
We are pleased to announce that Nirvana has helped Building for the Future once again. This time Pulse 8 Gym Manager Nicki Assirati took on the mission of fundraising, gathering just under £100 in one day during December.
Nicki persuaded patrons of the gym to part with their loose change and to take part in special events during the day. She helped to not only raise money but to raise the profile of the charity once more. Thank you Nicki!

Pistol Power
Anonymous local artist Pistol has created another modern masterpiece and donated it to charity.
Earlier this month Pistol left their latest artwork on the doorstep of Cantley Lodge's Arts Bar with strict instructions that it be put up for auction and that the monies raised is given to charity.
The almost life-size pink, painted canvas is a portrait of David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust era. Music and modern art fans alike have flocked to the Wellington Road located Arts Bar to get a glimpse of the amazing piece of art.

Maurice Monk, owner of the Arts Bar, said that profits from the auction will be split between Cancer Research and Building for the Future. The auction is to be held in March 2010.
www.artsbar.net

Lost and Found
Two local doctors surgeries, Rectory Road and Tudor House, have made a two-part donation to Building for the Future.
The first part is proceeds from a raffle to the tune of £360 and the second is a diamond ring, which has recently being valued at £35.

BFTF's Chief Executive Jane Holmes accepted the cheque with thanks and announced that the ring will be put up for auction at the next Charity Ball.
Practice Manager Jenny Partridge first learned of BFTF several years ago at a Christmas concert when she heard three of its mums speak about how important the building is to them and why it should be built in Wokingham.

Jenny has always been keen to help and so got her staff together to support the charity. They proved that any office, with any number of people in it, can raise an impressive sum for a local charity and that there are lots of ways of different ways of donating to charity - such as giving a piece of lost property, unwanted gifts, end of stock items and the like. Building for the Future is keen to talk to other offices and companies who can help in this way. Please write to jane@bftf.org.uk