MORE than 110 people attended a special ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of a town centre-based charity.

Andover Neighbourcare celebrated the landmark occasion with an award ceremony at the Masonic Hall on East Street.

Vince Delderfield hosted the event and welcomed charity president Dame Mary Fagan, the Mayor of Test Valley, Cllr Carl Borg-Neal, and deputy lord lieutenant of Hampshire, Mark Maclay on behalf of Union Street-based Neighbourcare.

At the event Mr Delderfield said a key part of the charity’s operation is its transport services. The organisation provides more than 7,000 trips each year.

Over the past 25 years, volunteer drivers completed more than 175,000 journeys - equal to more than 3.6 million miles.

He said: “The transport operation which runs from Union Street could not do so without its dedicated staff.”

Between the team, volunteers provide 5,200 hours of service each year which otherwise would cost £46,000.

The charity also runs Silver Surfers which has trained over 2,000 clients in IT skills.

Due to funding cuts, the charity’s main source of income is now its charity shop.

Mr Delderfield closed his presentation by thanking other branches of the charity, including Home Help, Dementia Day Services, Monday afternoon club and minibus drivers.

As part of his final comments, he added: “The organisation continues to go from challenge to challenge.”

Dame Mary and the charity’s manager, Pam Delderfield, ended the night by presenting long service and recognition certificates to 35 volunteers.

Dame Mary thanked Mrs Delderfield for her dedication to the charity over the past 25 years and all of the charity’s volunteers.

She said she was ‘proud’ to be Neighbourcare’s president for the last 21 years and looks forward to continuing in her role.