AN AFTERNOON of education, buffet food and ribbon cutting celebrated the re-launch of a charity last Saturday.

The Abel Foundation, which supports sufferers and their families of a life-threatening illness, Mitochondrial Disease, is bringing boosting its services.

Guests who attended the re-launch at the music venue The Rockhouse listened to a talk on the incurable disease as well as seeing charity patron, The Troggs guitarist Chris Britton, officially open the charity’s new office in London Street.

The Abel Foundation and The Rockhouse fundraiser Karen Hamilton said: “It was really, really good. The aspect we wanted to get across was really delivered, people were quite surprised about what Mitochondrial Disease is all about and there was an educational part about it as well.

“When it finished people were quite keen to offer donations, it was a very relaxed launch.”

The foundation was set up in 2015 by parents Tony and Claire Noakes whose baby son Abel was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease.

Their frustrating experience with a lack of support and knowledge of the disease made them want to help others going through the same ordeal.

The Abel Foundation has now gained funding from the National Lottery and Test Valley Borough Council allowing the charity to go to the next level.

The non-profit has gone live with its new support phone line, revamped its website and is in the process of adapting The Rockhouse into a daily hub for community and charity groups.

The charity has also opened an office at The Rockhouse.

Karen added: “At the moment as it builds and as awareness gets out there we would be considering more people to help out.

“Our goal is once we’re up and running people are phoning in, talking to us and we have got somewhere for people to come to for a one to one chat.”

The charity has more upcoming events in the year including a race night on July 7, as well as an annual dinner and AbelFest in September.

To find out more about the charity, go to theabelfoundation.org.uk.