Voluntary Action Kennet and its predecessor Kennet Rural Development Agency have been important support organisations for voluntary and community groups across the former Kennet district area.

It is therefore with much sadness we find ourselves asking you if you could publish our thanks to all our supporters as we close for business on March 31 due to a lack of funding for our core costs.

Many of the organisations known to your readers were developed by KRDA including Kennet Furniture Recycling, Kennet Carers, Young Carers in Kennet, Kennet Action for Single Homeless etc etc.

Since those earlier days VAK have developed Support to Families in Kennet, which has enabled new projects to be developed in communities and provide support and activities for young people up to the age of 11 years.

We have hosted forums for the sector and supported small community groups as well as working with very many voluntary and community groups with support, advice, information, and learning. We have run volunteer schemes including Volunteers in Villages, Pewsey Vale TimeBank and Volunteer Centre Kennet. I could go on and on.

I would like to particularly thank Diana Farrow, Barbara McDonald, Janet Horner and Peter Newell. Their inspiration and dedication enabled an organisation to be developed that would provide specific help to develop much needed voluntary sector projects for the people in Devizes, Marlborough and Pewsey areas and later in Tidworth.

Thanks to the many trustees who have helped steer the organisation and the staff and volunteers who have enabled so much to be achieved, obtain two quality awards, and be seen by the public as a trusted friend. It has been a privilege.

Finally we would like to thank all our funders as without their help none of this could have been achieved.

Margaret West, Chief Officer, Voluntary Action Kennet, River Street, Pewsey.