Charity staff praises Sir Nigel as they celebrate milestone

9:02am Saturday 24th December 2005

CHARITY workers are celebrating this Christmas after breaking through the £1million barrier of donations, five years after the late Sir Nigel Mobbs set the ball rolling.

The Buckinghamshire Foundation was founded in 2000 by the late Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, pictured below.

Sir Nigel died on October 21 and the charity foundation had put celebrations over the million pound milestone on hold while he was ill. But as a new year approaches, the group wants to mark Sir Nigel's legacy.

Executive director Mike Sparks said: "It has been a very painful year for us with the death of Nigel Mobbs. It was really his vision but we are more determined than ever now to continue his vision."

The foundation channels contributions from individuals and corporations to charities around the county, and last year helped 146 charities with funds of over £350,000. In the first year of the foundation in 2000, they raised £16,000.

Mr Sparks said: "We have had a steady rate of growth and things are looking good. You can never tell because these things work on a shoestring, but we are fairly confident."

Joseph Bradshaw, from Lieutenancy Support at Bucks County Council, said: "Sir Nigel would have been delighted and overwhelmed that it has been so successful. At the beginning it was just an idea. The foundation was very close to his heart."

The charity that helped them break the barrier was High Wycombe group Young Deaf Activities. The group teaches sign language to the families of deaf children, and run a regular youth group for young deaf people at the Round House on the first and third Saturday of each month.

Martin Jourdan, chairman of the Buckinghamshire Foundation, said: "It is very worthy. If you cannot communicate well, you really are set back these days. Anything that can be done to help is part of education, and enjoying community."

Mr Jourdan, friend of Sir Nigel for 40 years, is proud of the foundation's recent achievements and praised Sir Nigel's contribution.

He said: "We passed the million pound mark before he died, and I know he regarded the Bucks Foundation as one of the highlights of his time as Lord Lieutenant."