Sylvian Care Reading and Wokingham is volunteering its services through March as the team walks a mile a day, every lunchtime, in aid of a local charity.

The day centre, run by the Wokingham and District Association for the Elderly (WADE), offers support to anyone over the age of 60 in Wokingham and the surrounding areas.

The team from Sylvian Care, whose office premises are situated next door to the day centre, will be committing time on their lunch break to walk as a group, aiming to raise awareness and crucial funds for the charity.

The initiative spearheaded by the registered manager of Sylvian Care Reading and Wokingham Rebecca Lanigan recognises the importance of making a difference in their local community.

Mrs Lanigan said: “I’m a big believer that a close-knit community can have a huge benefit on people’s lives.

"We wanted to go out and support a great cause in our local area, and we knew a lot of our clients go along to the WADE day centre. So, where better to lend a helping hand and raise vital funds?”

As well as providing a warm and friendly environment for their members to pop in and socialise with others, the day centre provides services like physiotherapy and hairdressing.

“The centre really is a hub for the elderly community in and around Wokingham.

"The charity needs subsidies to carry on with their fantastic work, which is why we’re committed to raising funds.

"The day centre is a real bonus to our clients and our community, and long may that continue."

The mum of eight was brought up in a military family and now resides on a base in the southeast.

“I do a lot of work for veterans’ charities. Me and my husband run our own – Services Outreach Support – where we endeavour to go the extra mile for veterans’ families who need our help.”

Mrs Lanigan's charitable work has been recognised by the Armed Forces Covenant as she was given the gold award in 2023.

“It gives me a lot of energy and pride to be active in my local community. I think we’ve moved away from recognising how much a strong local environment can help people – it takes a village to raise a family."

The Reading and Wokingham branch of national home care franchise Sylvian Care was launched in 2014 by brother and sister Silviu Pop and Cristina Grancea.

Rebecca joined Sylvian in September of last year. “I loved that it was a family-run business.

"Silviu and Cristina have been great to work with and have been supportive of my work with local charities. All in all, we want to make a difference, and we’ve got the opportunity to do just that.”