The tagline and primary aim of Reading SOUP is to 'fill the belly and nourish the soul'. On the evening of March 15 I went along to St Laurence's Church prepared, a pang of hunger in my tummy and my soul, as ever, anaemic and in need of deep nourishment.

Walking into the magnificent venue I paid my £5, received a milk bottle top in return and helped myself to a cup of squash and a biscuit.

The evening's primary purpose is to serve as a platform for three charities, local to Reading, who get five minutes to speak to the crowd about their work.

At the end of proceedings each person votes for the charity they think the most deserving by placing their bottle top in a bowl, with the entrance money going to the winner.

First to speak was ABC To Read, who train volunteers to go into schools and help children with literacy difficulties not only learn the basics, but acquire a passion for the written word.

Next up was Berkshire Women's Aid, whose founder Jan spoke about their work offering refuge to women who have been in violent and emotionally damaging relationships, before talking about the charity's difficult financial future in a week that Reading Borough Council announced big cuts to domestic abuse services.

And finally Transform Fitness, a charity who aim to empower people through subsidised zumba and fitness classes, made their case.

Whilst the event organisers counted up the votes the paying public got to tuck into bowls of vegan soup - chickpea or parsnip - and listen to the gentle harmonies of singer-song writer Cat Brooks.

The evening was a relaxed and enjoyable one, with plenty of socially conscious, soup enjoying people happy to talk, and topped off with Berkshire Women's Aid taking home the £210.

The next Reading Soup takes placed on May 17. Go to readingsoup.com to find out more.