A CHARITY aimed at reducing child poverty within Redditch and Bromsgrove areas has been officially opened by the Princess Royal at Redditch food distribution specialist Oakland International.

The launch of the Oakland Foundation was attended by local dignitaries and civic guests.

Also present were students from local schools supported by Oakland, representatives of charities, support groups and local business representatives, along with Oakland employees.

The Princess Royal spoke to people involved in the foundation and discussed their work as a key partner with Redditch Council and the creation of the area's first official food bank and distribution network designed to support local residents in need.

She then met representatives of the local charities, schools and organisations supported over the years as part of Oakland International’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment, as well as meeting local business people attending the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Symposium held on the Oakland site.

Speaking about the support it received from Oakland International, Rachel Ind, family worker for Improving Futures (EPIC) and part of the Redditch Foodbank, said: “It is a pleasure to be working alongside such an enthusiastic organisation wishing to help local families in need.”

The Princess Royal unveiled a commemorative foundation plaque and commented on the positive effect companies such as Oakland could have and that, by working together, business, local community charities and schools could make a real difference.

Head of Oakland International’s customer services and Young Enterprise volunteer mentor, Lian Higgitt, speaking about meeting the Princess Royal, said: "I was very nervous about meeting the Princess Royal. I was immediately put at ease when I started talking to her.

“She was very friendly and actively asked questions about the work that we had been doing with Young Enterprise. She even suggested an idea we could work on next year - a phone that sounds when you whistle so you don't lose it. It was a great privilege to have been involved."

Oakland’s managing director Dean Attwell said: “It was a great honour that the Princess Royal chose to visit us, wishing to gain a fuller understanding of what we are trying to achieve.

“She was enthusiastic and wanted to get a real understanding of the work that so many stakeholders had collectively put into the creation of the Oakland Foundation and the many fund-raising initiatives and community involvement that has been part of our journey to date.

“To have a member of the Royal Family launch the Oakland Foundation means a great deal to us and is a welcome boost for everyone involved.

“We are delighted with how the afternoon went and pleased that so many of our stakeholders and local businesses could have the opportunity to meet the Princess Royal.”