Three years ago Marlow Thames Rotary Club created a new and novel gastronomic event that could be enjoyed by the local community, and at the same time showcasing the best of Marlow’s fantastic restaurants.
But the main aim of Marlow Tastes is to raise money for charitable causes.
Each year we choose two lead charities to headline the event, with each receiving around a quarter of the generated surplus.
In 2023 the inaugural lead charities were One Can Trust, the local food bank, which distributes food parcels to those in need; and Rotary’s Turkish / Syrian earthquake appeal which brought emergency relief to those affected by this major disaster.
In 2024 we supported Marlow United Charities which distributes food vouchers to needy homes and families in the town, and the well-known charity, Parkinsons UK.
In 2025 both lead charities were local: Dementia Action Marlow (DAM) an independent charity that supports those in the local community living with dementia; and Marlow Opportunity Playgroup (MOP) which caters for very young children (1-5 years) with very significant special needs – at the extreme range of the definition.We are delighted to have chosen the following two local charities to headline Marlow Tastes 2026:
Horizon Sports Club
Horizon Sports Club is a Buckinghamshire based charity dedicated to delivering sports sessions for children and young people with disabilities.
Horizon’s members are able to participate, able to be challenged, and able to achieve – but they may need a little extra help from time to time, that’s where this inclusive sports club and unique approach comes in
Since becoming a registered charity in 2002 Horizon has helped hundreds of young people enjoy sports in a safe, inclusive, and fun environment
Sessions like Swimming, Dance, Multi-sports, Football, MMA and much more have been the highlight of their members week, giving them a place to connect and be accepted.
Florence Nightingale Hospice
Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity commissions care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, and their families, across Buckinghamshire and its borders.
Working with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, this ensures that patients, families and carers get the individual clinical, practical and emotional support they need.
Our services include a 12 bedded inpatient unit at Florence Nightingale Hospice based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital as well as care at home, lymphoedema clinics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, day hospice services, bereavement support and outpatient care at Butterfly House near High Wycombe and at Florence Nightingale Hospice.
Day Hospice Creative Therapy
Lymphoedema nursing
We support patients and their families through the toughest of times, helping them to make the most of every day.
“They reassured us. We learned that a hospice is a place for support, for respite, for day visits, for care at home… It made what has been the most challenging week of our lives so much easier than it would otherwise have been.”
The remaining funds will then support a significant number of other charitable causes. Here are just a few that we have helped in recent years:
Alexander Devine Hospice provides specialist care and vital support to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions
Ambulances to Ukraine. Sourcing and sending second hand ambulances to this war zone
Aquabox provides safe drinking water and humanitarian aid to people affected by natural disasters, extreme weather, and conflicts
Bucks MIND supports those with mental health needs
Bucks Young Carers supports young people who have a caring role
Headway South Bucks cares for people who have acquired a brain injury
JAM Theatre trains and equips students of all ages in performing arts skills
Rivertime Boat Trust offers the opportunity for disabled and disadvantaged adults, children and young people to develop a long-term involvement with the River Thames
Shelter Box provides emergency shelter to families affected by conflict and disaster
Thames Valley Adventure Playground provides a range of adventurous, therapeutic, and educational play activities for children and adults with disabilities
Thames Valley Air Ambulance provides emergency medical services to critical patients
Thames Hospice provides free hospice care
Wycombe Homeless Connection helps people who are homeless or facing homelessness