Graham Roberts Marks 70th Birthday with Fundraising Celebration for Local Children’s Charities

Big-hearted community champion Graham Roberts celebrated his 70th birthday on January 16, 2026, by hosting a fundraising celebration in aid of two Berkshire charities close to his heart: Building for the Future and Dingley’s Promise.

The 'Super 70' event took place at The Fitness Club at Mapledurham, bringing together more than 120 friends, family members and community figures.

True to Graham’s vision of “bringing together so many incredible people from my personal journey,” the evening was not only a celebration of a milestone birthday but also a chance to give back.

Having proudly called the area home for more than 40 years, Graham used the occasion to highlight the strength and generosity of the local community. The director of Ethical Reading described the event as a “party with a purpose,” choosing to support two organisations that he and his wife Sue have long admired for their work with children with special needs and their families.

Instead of birthday gifts, guests were invited to donate £10 per person to each charity and thanks to generous donations and a lively musical bingo fundraiser, more than £2,000 was raised and split evenly between the two causes.

Building for the Future, based in Wokingham, provides a warm and inclusive environment where children with disabilities are celebrated and families can access essential activities and therapies. Reading-based Dingley’s Promise delivers life-changing early years support for children under five with additional needs, helping them thrive from the very start.

The charities hold particular meaning for Graham and Sue due to their own family experiences and the tangible impact of the organisations’ work.

The evening’s entertainment was led by local rock band Audiotonic, who kept the dance floor full throughout the night. A standout moment came when Sue surprised guests by joining the band on stage to sing Tina Turner’s Simply The Best, bringing the house down.

Graham also took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on several local organisations that reflect the community spirit he champions, including Ethical Reading CIC and Wokingham Positive Difference, which inspired him following his volunteer work. Guests also enjoyed food from Vegivores Natural Kitchen, music support from Peter Doyle Music Limited, and learned about Walk Works, an organisation encouraging connection and wellbeing through local walks.

Speaking after the event, Graham said: “Thank you to everyone who joined us in making this celebration meaningful - not just for Sue and me, but for the community and the causes that matter most. Here’s to continuing to make a positive difference and to Reading being an even better place to live and work.”

More information:

www.buildingforthefuture.org.uk

www.dingley.org.uk