West Berkshire charity Eight Bells for Mental Health bids farewell to 'much-loved' care coordinator

A popular care coordinator for a local charity was given a surprise send off last week, after a decade in the role.

Kathryn Dundas had her last day at Eight Bells for Mental Health on Friday (April 1) and more than 50 people joined her for a surprise farewell party at the Friends Meeting House in Newbury.

Colleagues, trustees, members and volunteer students all came back to join in the party and enjoyed a buffet with Kathryn's "favourite" prosecco.

Gary Norman, a trustee and volunteer at Eight Bells said Ms Dundas was "loved by all the members" and would be missed.

"Over the time she has been at Eight Bells, Kathryn has actually been Eight Bells itself," he added.

"She has developed the service we offer to an enormous extent.

"We are extremely grateful for all she has done for us.

"She is going to be very difficult to replace and we wish her all the very best."

One of the organisers of the party, Diane Lee, said: "It went really well. She phoned me afterwards and she said she loved it.

"She was with us for around 10 years so we wanted to give her a good send off.

"A lot of people who she has helped over the years came along.

"She has done a lot for everyone. She will be missed by us all.

"It was quite emotional on Monday, when we went in and she wasn't there."