A HOST of events have been lined up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of local development charity Community First in 2015.

The charity works at the forefront of community development and is looking to get more people involved during its landmark year and raise awareness of its work.

Deputy chief executive Lynn Gibson, executive fundraising officer Sharon Woolley and Kate Morris, from communications and service support, will run the anniversary campaign, along with organising a range of Challenge 50 events, aimed at recruiting 50 new volunteers by the end of 2015.

Ms Gibson said: “This campaign is about celebrating 50 years of community First and telling people about the work that we do.

“We support people in Wiltshire to make their lives better and work with more than 1,000 young people each year, along with funding rural enterprise and community transport groups.

“Getting 50 new volunteers in the next year will be a great achievement for the charity.”

Chief executive Philippa Read is planning a 50-mile charity walk, visiting different Community First groups, who are each being encouraged to hold their own challenges incorporating the number 50 into an event.

A competition will be held this month for young carers to design a campaign logo and there will be a Youth Action Wiltshire golf day and garden party in the summer.

Other events will include lunches and a gala dinner in November, to celebrate the official anniversary.

There will also be an event to thank all the people who supported the cause during the year.

The charity moved into its new building in the Beacon Business Centre on November 17 and has been working in partnership with Nationwide since May.

The building society, which has its head office in Swindon, was looking for a new charity to support and has helped Community First with its campaign, along with providing strategic planning.

For more information about Community First, go to www.communityfirst.org.uk