Behind every strong man... there's a woman using his profile to raise cash for charity. That's certainly the case with the Reading FC 'WAGs', who stepped out from their footballing partner’s shadows to form a successful Thames Valley charity.
Collectively known as The Royal Families, the group of wives and girlfriends have raised approximately £200,000 for local charities in their first two years. The fundraising group was originally the brainchild of Karen Murty and Amanda Hahnemann following Reading's promotion to the Premiership in 2006.
The 2007/08 season saw Emily Shorey and Olga Gunnarsson take the helm and raise over £100,000 for Daisy's Dream and the Berkshire Cancer Centre Fund though a number of events that included, a darts night, a Golf Day and a Pirates of the Caribbean themed party.
2008/09 sees the Royal Families take a break from the limelight, with the focus turning to Graeme Murty's Testimonial Year until May 2009.
However the girls will be back so watch this space!
