Reading’s multi award-winning independent jewellery store, Jacobs the Jewellers, has officially marked the end of last year’s fundraising program for the Royal Berks Charity by presenting a cheque for £93,588.94. This cheque reflected their final 2018 total that was significantly higher than the £70,000 target originally set at the beginning of their fundraising challenge and indeed the £77,000 announced in November.

2018 was the established independent jeweller’s 70^th anniversary trading in Reading and the business had decided to raise money for the local charity to mark the occasion. A series of events over the year helped the Jacobs team raise funds for a new Surface Guided Radiotherapy Machine in the Berkshire Cancer Centre, part of the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The cheque was presented by Adam, Adrienne + Ian Jacobs, owners of the business, to Steve McManus, Chief Executive of the Royal Berkshire Hospital at a reception last night. The family were joined by enthusiastic supporters and friends during the evening as well as representatives from the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

The Jacobs family said “We’re absolutely amazed by this amount and so happy about it. When we set out to raise £70,000 for our 70^th, we thought it was a big challenge. It wasn’t easy and we’re truly grateful to all the customers, businesses – an enormous amount who are local to Reading – and to our team. Everyone was extraordinarily generous with donations both financially and with time to help raise the funds for this really loved local cause: it’s guaranteed that this will change lives for the better.”

Jacobs the Jewellers raised the funds with a series of initiatives over the year: a Skydive, local business raffle, special 70^th jewellery designs, a gala black tie ball, speaking engagements and a Christmas social party all contributed to the stunning total.

Steve McManus, said “This is a phenomenal amount of money raised by an outstanding local business who have been incredibly supportive over this past year. All the proceeds from Jacobs ‘Seventy for Seventy’ project is going to our Berkshire Cancer Centre (BCC) appeal to purchase cutting edge radiotherapy equipment. The BCC team aim to provide a world class service and I’m immensely proud of them all for the incredible work they do for our patients every day, and we couldn’t do it without the help of our charity supporters. Our thanks now and into the future are heartfelt.”