A WILTSHIRE charity battling to help people with mental health issues during the coronavirus pandemic is to receive a welcome boost from a Calne School.

St Margaret’s Preparatory School has chosen Melksham-based Wiltshire Mind as its charity of the year. A number of events will be held during 2020/2021 starting with a festive fundraiser before the end of the Christmas term.

Headmaster Luke Bromwich said: “We had a lot of debate about who we should choose to be our charity of the year.

“But We have decided to help Wiltshire Mind whose work supports people who are experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress. They are a local charity based in Melksham and it seemed appropriate to support their work during these particularly unsettling times for society.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Mind said: “The coronavirus pandemic is having a huge impact on our mental health. Help us be there for everyone who needs us at this crucial time.

“Wiltshire Mind relies on individual donations and fundraising to provide our mental health services for our local community. We do not receive any statutory funding, so please donate to us if you can. We need to raise £465 a day to continue to provide mental health support for the people of Wiltshire.”

Among the services Wiltshire Mind offers is counselling for young people aged over 11 which was launched in February last year.