New office opens for Berkshire Community Foundation

Significant step forward for the charity today (Tuesday), says its chief executive officer

THE LORD-Lieutenant of Berkshire, The Hon Mary Bayliss (pictured), is to open a new office at the Berkshire Community Foundation today (Tuesday).

The grounds of the foundation charity, based in Theale, have had an upgrade which will enable some of the disabled and vulnerable people the charity helps to have proper access to the offices.

Calling it a “significant step forward” for the charity, the CEO, Andrew Middleton, said he was delighted to welcome Mrs Bayliss to open the new site following the recent good news of the foundation being named in a list of royal wedding charities.

Shortly before their marriage, Bucklebury's Kate Middleton and her fiance Prince William, now the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, requested donations to charities to be sent instead of wedding gifts, of which the foundation was one.

“It's a big boost for us to get on the back of the Royal Wedding,” said Andrew Middleton, who is not related to the Duchess.

He added: “The voluntary sector is struggling but it will invigorate everyone to get behind the needy. We don't know how much we are likely to get yet but any money would be fantastic and enable us to do so much.

“We have had a phenomenal amount of publicity on the back of it, it has done so much for our profile and will mean more support for charities through us.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the Berkshire Community Foundation offices in Arlington Business Park this afternoon.