Vent-Axia, based in Crawley, presented a cheque to the town’s Mayor Councillor Raj Sharma on 9^th May to support his charity for 2016/17, Crawley Community Youth Service.

The cheque was presented by the company’s marketing manager, Jenny Smith, at Crawley Town Hall.

Vent-Axia chose to support Crawley Community Youth Service as its charity for 2016 - its 80^th anniversary year. To raise funds for this local charity, the company held a Christmas raffle, netting more than £300 for the service.

The youth service aims to encourage young people to be positive role models who can create engaged vibrant and equal communities throughout Crawley. It provides clubs for young people in Bewbush, Gossops Green and Langley Green.

Jenny Smith said: “We were keen to support our local community when we picked our charity for the year and the service is a great example of bringing the community together and empowering young people. We are delighted to be able to work alongside the Mayor in supporting their work.”

Mayor Councillor Raj Sharma said: “I’ve been working with the youth of Crawley for 25 years and so this charity is very close to my heart. I am so pleased to accept the cheque on behalf of the charity and I know this money will go directly to helping Crawley’s young people.”

In addition, as part of the fundraising drive to celebrate its 80^th anniversary year Vent-Axia launched it’s ’80 for 80’ initiative which helped staff support their chosen charities throughout this milestone year. The firm donated £80 to each charity put forward by a member of staff, helping organisations ranging from national health charities to a local Scout group. In total, with the Mayor's charity and the ‘80 for 80’ initiative, £1027.97 was raised during the year.

Pictured (l-r): The Worshipful, the Mayor of Crawley, Councillor Raj Sharma and Jenny Smith, marketing manager at Vent-Axia.