A COMPANY behind a development in Malmesbury is celebrating after its charitable foundation passed the £500,000 fundraising milestone.

The Churchill Foundation, the charitable arm of Churchill Retirement Living which built the William Lodge retirement apartments on Gloucester Road, has hit the half a million pounds mark in the first 18 months since it was set up and has helped more than 50 charities so far.

They have now begun the search for their charity partners for 2018 and are welcoming applications from charities.

Dame Esther Rantzen, the Churchill Foundation’s patron, said: “In a relatively short time the Churchill Foundation has done a fantastic job of raising awareness and vital funds for The Silver Line, Childline, and many other charities.

"I’m looking forward to continuing my work with the Churchill Foundation in 2018 to ensure that many more charities continue to benefit from their support.”

Spencer McCarthy, Churchill Retirement Living’s chairman and CEO and a trustee of the Churchill Foundation, said: “We’re very proud of what the Churchill Foundation has achieved since it was set up just 18 months ago, transforming many people’s lives by supporting our main charity partners as well as a wide range of smaller charities.

“Every year we pick three or four main partner charities to support, not only financially but through generating exposure via our colleagues, owners, business partners and the events and activities we hold throughout the year."

For more information about the Churchill Foundation and to apply to be a charitable partner for 2018, go to churchillfoundation.org.uk