COMMUNITY First chief executive Philippa Read met with community groups across Wiltshire last week as part of her 50 mile walk to celebrate the charity’s 50th birthday.

The aim of the walk was to raise awareness and highlight the support provided to communities through the many different services offered by the organisation.

Mrs Read walked 50 miles over five days last week, visiting different Community First groups along the way.

She started off from West Ashton’s village hall on Monday and ended back at Community First in Devizes on Friday.

Mrs Read said: “This walk has been an absolutely wonderful experience, I have met and talked with more than 100 people.

“Chalkie the white horse has come with me the whole way as a mascot and I have seen firsthand what amazing things people have done in their communities and how our involvement has helped them.

“I had staff, trustees and community groups walking different parts of the route with m. One day I had the chairman of the Calne Link Service walk join me and another I learnt all about community policing from an officer in Tisbury.”

One location Mrs Read visited on the walk was Rowde shop, as the charity helped with the village plan which enabled the village to open a shop in 2009.

Jackie Bowden, who was part of the group that set up the shop, said: “The help we have and do get from Community First is great.

“They are ones that funded our village plan in the first place and if we ever get stuck on matters concerning the village we always know that we can ring Community First for help and advice.”

Founded in 1965, the charity works at the forefront of community development and the walk is part of golden plan of events and challenges being held by throughout 2015 to celebrate its achievements over the past 50 years.

In that time Community First has have worked with village and town councils, village halls and committees, youth clubs, village shops, community transport groups, Link schemes and community leaders across Wiltshire and Swindon.

One of their main aims this year is a Challenge 50 volunteer campaign with the hope of recruiting 50 new volunteers by the end of 2015.

Other events will include Challenge 50 related community lunches, groups will be taking part in their own 50 challenges and there will be a celebratory gala dinner in November.

For more information about Community First and the work it does go to www.communityfirst.org.uk