Local charity hoping to expand

A local man is hoping to open a multi-purpose coffee shop as part of his continuing charity initiative.

Herbie Muggeridge is the founder of the charity initiative Brighten Up Tomorrow which has been running for 6 years.

Brighten Up Tomorrow aims to help a range of charitable causes and make everyone’s day better.

One of the plans is to open a coffee shop that will serve the local community in various ways:

“The dream would be to open a socialising pay-if forward coffee shop. 

“There would be a space for mental health meetings, there would be a computer room for people aged 16 and over to apply for jobs and there would be a children’s area.”

“I want it to be a place where people can call home.”

In April he raised £314.17 by playing pool for 12 hours at The Victoria Snooker Centre in Tunbridge Wells for the charity Taylor Made Dreams which helps children with life limiting illnesses achieve their dreams.

At the event there was also a raffle and a face painter with Herbie playing until 12am.

Herbie said this about choosing pool and the amount he raised : 

“I decided to play pool because it is a passion of mine and you get all sorts of different people playing or coming to socialise. 

“I had 18 to 25 other people that played.

“I was quite emotional at the amount we raised because it goes to a family that needs it and a child that wants to make their dream happen.

“If I can make four or even one family happy then that’s enough.”

Other charitable work Herbie has done with Brighten Up Tomorrow includes raising funds for the Dogs Trust by setting up stalls outside shops, running 5km for cancer research and donating books, puzzles and games to nurseries and elderly homes including £6,000 in donations every year to the Hedgehog Ward at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

He is thankful for the footballing academy EMC for their support and for helping Brighten Up Tomorrow run smoothly.

Herbie has also organised mental health group meetings since 2023 to help people open up about their mental health.

You can listen below to Herbie talking about a particular memory that stands out.

Brighten Up Tomorrow was born from one other charity event Herbie got involved in. 

“I started doing MacMillan coffee mornings to meet new people.

“I love when everyone is making friends and being part of the community.

“From those coffee mornings I got inspired to create Brighten Up Tomorrow.

“I had to really think of a name that stood out and was original”

Herbie is hoping for the charity to grow and is currently looking for Trustees so that more charitable events can be done.

You can send a message of help to Brighten Up Tomorrow’s or Herbie’s Facebook page.