Oddfellows backs sporting potential

Updated: 28 Jan 2025

Three promising Reading athletes have had funding presented to them by the Mayor of Reading to help boost their sporting careers.

Reading Sports Aid Fund

The grants were made available via the Reading Sports Aid Fund, to which the Oddfellows Reading District is the sole contributor.

The fund makes small financial grants to promising Reading sportspeople of any age or level to help with competition and training costs, or to go towards specific equipment.

(L to R) Councillor Paul Gittings (Reading Sports Fund Trustee), Fiona Vince (Reading Oddfellows District Chairman), Asinia Byfield, Mayor Rachel Eden, Esmae Elmore, Sophie Gray, and Russell Vince

The Mayor's Parlour

On Monday 20 March, Mayor of Reading, Councillor Rachel Eden, welcomed the athletes and their families to the Mayor’s Parlour to present them with their funding.

The Oddfellows Reading District Chairman, Fiona Vince, was also in attendance with her husband, Russell, to meet the Mayor and the athletes.

Fiona said: “It’s wonderful to see that local athletes are able to benefit from the Reading Sports Aid Fund, and I wish them every success in their sporting careers.”

Sophie Gray, 25, is a member of Reading Rowing Club and the World Class Start Programme. She was awarded £200 to help with the costs of equipment and competition.

Asinia Byfield, 33, is a super welterweight boxer with 16 career wins. He received £200 to help with training and equipment costs.

And Esmae Elmore, 6, who only took up gymnastics last year and has already won medals in county competitions, has benefitted from £100 to help with the cost of training.

Thanks, Oddfellows!

Councillor Eden, who is also Chair of the Reading Sports Aid Fund, said: “It was a pleasure to meet with the successful recipients of this year’s Reading Sports Aid Fund.

“We are extremely grateful to the Reading Oddfellows for their generous sponsorship. Their support is so much appreciated and not only helps local athletes financially, but also helps us to acknowledge the achievements of these talented sportsmen and women.”

More information and the application form for the Reading Sports Aid Fund are available at www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/active-reading/sport/sports-aid-sports-futures/.

Find out more

The Oddfellows has around 100 branches nationwide with almost 40,000 members. It is one of the oldest and largest friendly societies in the UK.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Oddfellows Reading District, its fundraising activities, and upcoming events, should contact District Secretary Debbie Jex by calling 0118 957 3354 or via email at debbie.jex@oddfellows.co.uk, or head to our Events page.

And to find out where your nearest Oddfellows Branch is, use our handy Branch Finder.