8 | NEWS
Help us help you: Return unused medical equipment A CALL has gone out to return unused medical equipment due to high demand. Councils across Berkshire have urged residents to check their homes for NRS Healthcare items. The supplier loans more than 35,000 items of equipment each year on behalf of the council or NHS. It supports people in living full, active and independent lives. During the pandemic, many people weren’t able to return the items while others have sold them on. Because of this, there is a lack of hoists, perching stools, commodes, rollators, profiling beds and mattresses. Returning this equipment not only helps those in need but helps save public money. NRS Healthcare cleans the equipment and carries out safety checks for it to be reused. Equipment can be ready for redistribution in just three days. Paul Callaway, NRS Healthcare’s service manager for Berkshire, said: “There is an urgent need for medical equipment within the community and we are asking those who no longer need it to please return it. “This is vital and helps people live the best independent life that they can.” To arrange a free equipment collection, call 0344 8936 960 or email enquiries@berkshire.nrs-uk.net Or it can be returned to NRS Healthcare at Units 1 to 3 Ely Road, Theale Commercial Estate, Theale, Berkshire, RG7 4BQ.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021
Wokingham Pride hosts picnic and parade this Saturday EXCLUSIVE By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today FLAGS will be flying across the borough for Wokingham’s Pride picnic in the park this weekend.
Taking place this Saturday, the celebrations will begin with a group photo outside Wokingham Town Hall at 11.30am. Attendees will be joined by Wokingham town’s mayor, Cllr Tony Lack and borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker. The group will then make their way down to Elms Field at noon where people can bring their own food or grab a takeaway from a business in the town. Rachel Bishop-Firth (Lib Dem), Wokingham Borough Councillor and admin for the Wokingham LGBTQ+ Pride group, is looking forward to the event saying it’s going to be “absolutely fantastic”. “It’ll be really nice that we’re able to celebrate pride on a local level and it’s great that we’re now able to do these things in person,” she said. “We really do encourage everyone to come along, you are all welcome, and just come and enjoy the picnic with us in the town.” Wokingham Library is also getting involved in the celebrations by providing information on charities and support groups and highlighting LGBTQ+ authors and subjects.
PRIDE: Saturday’s event will be at Elms Field
Attendees of the event will be able to pick up an LGBTQ+ themed book recommended by the Wokingham Library staff. “We have some great food stalls in the marketplace,'' said Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey. “We hope that as many participants as possible will support these and our independent town centre businesses.” Cllr Bishop-Firth explained they have also received “lots of support” from businesses, churches and schools in the area. They have given out more than 100 flags to businesses so they can show their support on the day.
Displays of rainbow flags in windows will also be welcome and residents are encouraged to share empowering messages on social media. Children, dogs and musicians are encouraged to come along to add to the friendly atmosphere. Wokingham borough mayor, Cllr Keith Baker said the pride flag is an “important symbol” to which they are proud to promote. “Whether you live, work or study in the Wokingham borough, we recognise, support and celebrate the diversity of our communities,” he said. “Together we look forward to a
bright, colourful future where inclusivity is the foundation.” And Wokingham Borough Council leader John Halsall has pledged to attend Pride on Saturday. “I will be there,” he said. “It’s important for Wokingham to support anyone who wishes to do whatever they want to do as long as it doesn’t harm anyone else. “We have one aim which is to support residents in whatever they want to do, I’m very happy to do that.” Picnic goers will be reminded to put litter in the bin or take it home. � To find out more, visit the Wokingham Pride Facebook group.
BEAT THE STREET: Familes have been walking, scooting and cycling between Beat Boxes to track their journey. In Go Explore week, there were bonus points for some new routes along Wokingham’s Blue Plaque Trail Pictures: Stewart Turkington
Explore heritage on the street FAMILIES taking part in the Beat the Street challenge can hunt out the area’s heritage and cultural gems for Go Explore week. So far, 5,626 people have signed up, covering 65,122 miles across Wokingham, Woosehill and Finchampstead. Teams could win vouchers for books or sports equipment by scoring points as they travel between beat boxes. The further players travel, the more points they score for their community or school team, racking up 10 points for each beat box reached. Players can also donate their points to help one of two charity teams; Home Start Wokingham District and First Days Children’s Charity. Last weekend, some
randomly-selected boxes gave away 30 points. There is also a double points trail around the Historic Wokingham Blue Plaque Trail. Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport said: “It’s great to see how people have embraced the Beat the Street game and have clocked up an impressive number of miles. “There are bonus points on offer on some Beat Boxes to help you get out and about and to find new routes to school or work, plus other local areas that you may not have known about.” Last week’s Go Wild event saw hundreds head to the parks and green spaces in Wokingham.
Beat the Street coordinator, Alison Flawith was found in California Country Park by 49 players. She said: “I wasn’t expecting so many of you to find me and it was lovely to meet children from Gorse Ride Infant School, Gorse Ride Junior School, Nine Mile Ride School and two students from Keep Hatch Primary School. “One of the pupils said that he hated walking to school before Beat the Street and used to beg his mum to drive him but now he is really enjoying playing Beat the Street and loves walking to school with his friends.” � For more information, visit: www.beatthestreet.me/ wokingham
