Great effort by cyclists
THE Mangotsfield Community Association’s Spin Cycle and raffle over Easter raised an amazing £3,000 for two good causes, with hopefully more pledged to come.
Volunteers on static bikes clocked up a combined total of 1,340 virtual miles – the distance from Mangotsfield to Benidorm – at the Red Lion pub.
It was a great effort by all involved in the cycle, and to those who donated raffle prizes: well done to Mike Heath and Karen Fox and Matt and Sarah Proud for putting this together, to the Red Lion and all who supported the event, for two great charities – St Peter’s Hospice and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Clive Heath
Mangotsfield Residents Association
Make a difference to children this summer
SOUTH Gloucestershire libraries are looking for enthusiastic and friendly Summer Reading Challenge volunteers.
You can develop your skills in communication, team working and creative projects, have fun and make new friends as part of the team running the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge – Story Garden – for primary school-aged children.
You will help children doing the Summer Reading Challenge, talk with them about the books they’re reading and help at library activities.
Volunteers should be aged 14 and over. Training will be given.
The closing date for applications is June 22.
To find out more ask a member of library staff, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/library-volunteers or email libraryvolunteers@southglos.gov.uk
Sally Twitchen
Library Supervisor
Downend Library
Every drop helps
I THOUGHT I would write a public thank you to Jo, the manager at Coco hair salon, Sainsbury’s manager Ben and Marius, manager of Mokka bar, who generously provided water for an urgent watering of the very thirsty plants along Downend High Street during the hot weather over the May bank holiday weekend.
Thank you to each of you for your public-spirited contribution.
Andrea Cross,
Chair, Downend Horticultural Society
More people need our help
CITIZENS Advice South Gloucestershire’s annual Impact Report shows our charity is helping more people than ever before.
We helped 7,280 people in 2023/24 – a 23% increase on the year before.
Sadly this is in part a reflection of the fact more and more people are struggling, with the cost-of-living crisis far from over for many in South Gloucestershire.
People who were previously able to draw on savings to weather the storm are now having to come to us for foodbank help.
But the rise in numbers helped is also due to the fact our charity is expanding to take on more Advisers and projects – meaning we can reach new groups of people who need us.
We would like to thank our team for all their work this year as well as all of the organisations and individuals credited in the report for their generous support which allows us to continue our vital services for the community.
The report can be read on our website at tinyurl.com/mrxtz6jk.
Chantal Watts, CEO
Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire