Witney CAB needs £80,000 to expand (From Witney Gazette)

Witney CAB needs £80,000 to expand

9:00am Wednesday 13th September 2006 in Witney By Maddy Biddulph

DAVID Cameron MP has made it his mission to raise £80,000 to relocate a Witney-based charity so it can expand its services in a larger office, after 25 years in cramped conditions.

The Conservative Party leader has written to firms asking them to donate the cash to enable the West Oxfordshire Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) can expand.

West Oxfordshire District Council has already bought a building in Marlborough Lane, which is being leased to CAB, but it needs a serious makeover, and a new computer network and phone system.

The charity, which provides free information and advice on issues like debt management, housing, asylum, and consumer complaints, has been based in High Street for more than 25 years. Mr Cameron said: "The West Oxfordshire CAB does an excellent job for thousands of people in our area.

"I am delighted to help raise funds to enable them to move to larger and more modern premises."

CAB manager, Barbara Shaw, said the existing building in High Street was too small and outdated to meet the needs of its customers.

She appealed to businesses to dig deep, and said: "We do a lot of work to support employers in the district and employees when they are in difficulty.

"This is a chance for them to give something back for us helping them."

The money raised will help provide space for in-house training, extra interview rooms, a reception, and a permanent base for the home-visiting teams.

Mrs Shaw said she was very excited about moving to Marlborough Lane, and added: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us and we are really pleased David Cameron is supporting us. We have been reasonably successful with some of our fundraising, but we still have a long way to go."

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the charity can make cheques payable to West Oxon CAB Appeal, and send them to Witney CAB, 33a High Street, Witney, OX8 6HP.

The CAB can be contacted on 01993 705691.

West Oxfordshire CAB is holding an open day as part of its advice week at its High Street base on Thursday, September 14.