A mind bending evening

Reading Chronicle
11 Oct 1996

URI Geller astounded me with his powers and confidence when I first met him some weeks ago.
Last Thursday he gave an audience of a hundred or so people the opportunity to similarly wonder when he gave a lecture at Bracknell’s Wilde Theatre in aid of the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust’s Children’s Home Support Group.
Geller is happy to spend his time supporting the charity, which appointed him vice-president in the late 1980s, and this lecture must have left the audience in some amazement.
He started off the night with some ‘simple’ telepathy correctly guessing the colour and then picture which members of the audience drew on a board.
Throughout the night he told us about his experiences with the CIA, the Israeli Prime Minister and UFOs, and I noticed some of the audience scoffing at his remarks.
But some of Geller’s displays, and I hasten not to use the word ‘tricks’ (“I am not a magician,” he said), were very impressive.
He made spoons bend add ‘melt’, a seed grow to over an inch long in the palm of his hand, a watch gain an hour and a half in seconds and a man lose most of his weight so that four men could lift him together just with their index fingers
As he said, no scientist has been able to explain his powers, and for the open-minded, they are impressive and unlikely
I suspect you have to be present to be convinced.
He prompted an auction at the end for one of his Mindpower packs, which eventually went for £112.
This may not have been anything like the 10,000 strong crowds which the psychic was used to at the height of his powers, but it had been entertaining, thought provoking and for a good cause.
The money raised will go towards helping children with breathing difficulties, allowing them to be treated at home.
Paediatric home care sister Rachel Paton said: “We have raised over £10,000 since 1992 for children suffering from asthma and cystic fibrosis.”
Charity manager David Wright added: “The nurses can treat children at home and educate their parents.
“It stops the children having to come into hospital as often as they otherwise would.”
If you would like to make a donation to the charity please send cheques payable to the Home Support Sisters addressed to Appeal Office, Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN.
David Alexander