2018 marks the 70th anniversary of Reading’s oldest independent family run jewellers founding. Jacobs’ 2018 anniversary centres on the ambitious goal of raising £70,000 for the Royal Berkshire Hospital Charity, specifically the Berkshire Cancer Centre in what is also the NHS’s 70th anniversary year. Jacobs has kicked off 2018 in dazzling form, launching the first three innovative fund-raising initiatives of its program.
In the first of the year’s set of charity initiatives this January, local Reading businesses have shown incredible support by providing gifts for a quarterly raffle. Over a dozen businesses, including restaurants and retailers, have donated gifts + vouchers to a gift basket, valued in excess £500, with one basket winnable every 3 months.
In fact, many of the participating businesses are from Reading’s independent sector. You can see a full list of supporters here: https://jacobsthejewellers.com/about/seventy/
April 2018’s Quarterly Raffle Gift Hamper
Tickets are priced at an accessible £5 each and available via Jacobs the Jewellers @ 25 King Street Reading, with raffle draws in the first weeks of April, July & October 2018, and January 2019.
Draft of the Jacobs’ 70th Anniversary Raffle Ticket
The second initiative from Jacobs showcases the first of a series of unique pieces of jewellery from seven ‘Eras of Jewellery’. Each individual piece has been commissioned to celebrate one the of seven era’s artistic inspiration.
The opening design is this trilogy of handmade bespoke stacking ruby and multi coloured sapphire rings anniversary inspired by the 60s, capturing the vibrancy and revolutionary movement of that era (see image below). It is available from Jacobs the Jewellers, priced at £2,995 with a donation being made to the charity from the proceeds.
70th anniversary Jewellery: 60s inspired Ring
Thirdly, as part of the ‘Eras of Jewellery’ theme, this January sees the launch of an ambitious local art project. Partnering with Jelly, Reading’s award-winning arts charity (who coincidentally are celebrating their Silver Jubilee in 2018), Jacobs is asking all secondary school students (11 to 16 year-olds) in the Reading and Wokingham area to enter a ‘Junior Jewellery Designer’ competition.
Students are being encouraged to submit a design for a silver pendant with a ‘Future’ theme. From the entrants, a shortlisted group will win a place in an exclusive workshop with Jacobs’ goldsmiths and designers; they will learn how to transform their designs into actual pieces of jewellery. The overall winner will be chosen from this group and the winning design will be made into one of the ‘Eras of Jewellery’ pieces to be sold for fundraising. An entry form is available via design@jacobsthejewellers.com or from www.jelly.org.uk, the deadline for entries is 28th February 2018.
“We always like to start the New Year running and with the determination to raise our £70,000 fundraising goal, we’re thrilled to be supported by such great local businesses. Coupled with our natural enthusiasm for jewellery and encouraging young people to get involved in our craft, being able to fundraise in such fun and imaginative ways is terrific. The whole Jacobs team are looking forward to reaching our goal with the help of our customers, friends and partners” said Adam Jacobs, co-owner.
Jacobs the Jewellers Starts 70th Anniversary Year Sparkling with Jelly
Following the success of Young Designers’ Competition in 2017, this competition is set to return on its centre stage in 2018 as part of the third initiative of Jacobs the Jewellers 70th anniversary celebration.
This independent jeweller in Reading collaborates with Jelly, Reading’s energetic charity championing the creative arts. The Young Designers’ competition is a Junior Edition category and will be open for ages 11 to 16 years old in Reading and Wokingham area. The challenge is to design a silver pendant with a ‘Future’ theme and the winning piece will be sold and/or auctioned for the said fundraising project.
Sneak Peak: 7 Unique Jewellery Pieces for Charity this 2018.
For press enquiries/interviews please contact:
Adam Jacobs, Co-owner
Jacobs the Jewellers
25, King St | Reading | 011 8 959 0790 | adam.jacobs@jacobsthejewellers.com
Ian Thomson, Director of Fundraising, Royal Berkshire Hospital
07788 668850 | Ian.Thomson@royalberkshire.nhs.uk