A CHARITY supporting people with autism is set to benefit from the tremendous efforts of Reading Buses' fundraising team.

Volunteers from Autism Berkshire celebrated on Friday after they were revealed as the company's new charity partner for 2018.

Staff from Reading Buses raised nearly £13,000 for Red Balloon Learner Centre during the last fundraising campaign.

The company is already holding talks to see how the partnership can be developed through supporting events and initiatives in 2018 which will also help the charity grow.

Sandra Stubbs, a trustee of Autism Berkshire, said: “We are delighted to be named as Reading Buses charity of the year for 2018.

“It is a great opportunity to raise the profile of autism and our charity and particularly pleasing as we were chosen in a vote by the staff of Reading Buses.

“We are looking forward to working with Reading Buses to improve the support we deliver to autistic people and their families throughout Berkshire.

“We have had some great feedback from previous charities who have had increased exposure after being our partner.

“We have some great plans for fundraising activities over the year and will be revealing details very soon.”

Reading Chronicle:

More than half of Reading Buses' employees voted to support Autism Berkshire and as part of the announcement a new bus with the charity's logo was presented to promote the partnership.

A record-breaking total of £14,375 was collected for mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably two years ago.

Martijn Gilbert, CEO of Reading Buses, added: “We are delighted to announce that Autism Berkshire has been chosen by our employees to be our charity of the year for 2018.

“Autism Berkshire is a fantastic charity which helps so many people throughout the region which we are increasingly covering with our new routes.

“Over half our employees voted for Autism Berkshire which undoubtedly shows the esteem in which this charity is held.

"We are hoping that the depth of feeling for the charity leads to more of our employees as well as customers taking part in some great fundraising activities over the course of the next 12 months to help us make this another record-breaking year.”