THE Andover branch of a national bereavement charity has received a donation ahead of a major milestone.

Cruse Bereavement, in Union Street, was formally presented with a £2,000 cheque from Anton Rotary Club on Thursday, last week.

The donation will be used to cover the cost of a recent refurbishment carried out ahead of the branch’s 25th anniversary yesterday (Sunday).

Members of Anton Rotary Club were among those who helped with the refurb, which saw the branch’s office, support room and adjoining kitchen completely renovated.

Iris Anderson has also been on hand to lend her support, having worked with the charity for a number of years, and was thanked on Thursday by Cruse’s regional elected member for the south, Susan Turner.

Susan said: “On behalf of Andover Cruse Bereavement I would like to thank Anton Rotary Club and Iris for their most generous help and support in refurbishing our office and support room in celebration of our 25th anniversary.”

She added: “It’s really given us all a great boost. It’s made the volunteers feel better. They now have a nice, comfortable place [where they can support the clients] and it makes the clients feel better too. Before it was really quite an embarrassment to bring people in.”

Cruse Bereavement is a national charity that offers support to children, young people and adults when someone dies.

As well as that support, the Andover branch also provides training opportunities, with new courses set to being in October.

Anton Rotary Club President Alex Armstrong said: “We were here 10 years ago and did a lot of work and obviously over time this needs refurbishing, and it all looks really nice now.”

People can contact the Andover branch in person or over the phone on 01264 336006.

Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm, with extended opening hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 8pm.