THE new chief executive of a Basingstoke charity has met with the town’s MP to outline what her vision is for the organisation.

Pat Fitzsimons took over the reins of Basingstoke Voluntary Action (BVA) in August this year, after previously working at Thames Estuary Partnership.

Ms Fitzsimons met with Maria Miller to discuss her plans for the charity and how to help highlight charitable opportunities.

After the meeting at the BVA’s office in The Orchard, in White Hart Lane, Mrs Miller said: ““BVA offers enormous support to the community in Basingstoke, including helping voluntary and community groups to grow and develop, and matching volunteers with volunteering opportunities.

“I was delighted to meet up with Pat as the new CEO and to hear about her plans for BVA, to further increase the support they can give to local organisations.

“She also highlighted the funding opportunity open to charitable and voluntary organisations through the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All programme, which gives grants of up to £10,000. This is a great opportunity and I would urge local organisations to consider applying.”

To find out more about the Awards for All programme visit biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding/under10k.