A CHAIRMAN of a Basingstoke charity has been nominated for an award for his sterling efforts.

David Chatten-Smith, who helped found and now chairs Helping Hands for the Blind, has been named a finalist in the Groundwork Community Awards 2018, in the Community Leader of the Year category.

The nomination has come from his efforts in guiding the charity.

David set up Helping Hands for the Blind six years ago, after he lost his sight through meningitis in 2004 and discovered that there were no charities in the area that specifically focused on helping partially sighted or blind people.

The charity provides assistance, help and advice to those with issues with their sight, as well as the friends and family of those who in need of the service.

He has led his team of volunteers to build a successful community group, working out of the Roger Morris Centre in Eastrop Way.

Volunteer with the service, Christine Rowley, said: “To be nominated in a nationwide competition is fantastic, and it is great that he will also be going to the House of Commons for the award ceremony.

“David has a great sense of humour, and lots of time for all the issues that the charity deals with. He’s put six years of his life into this, and he never gives up. Even when there wasn’t a permanent premises before where they are at the moment, he kept going.

“All of the volunteers, people who join us, and the committee feels like one big family, and David is a big part of that, with his wife Faye and Debbie and Alex Soto, who have given him the most support.”

Winners will be announced on November 22.