A charity headed by boxing legend Frank Bruno is a step closer to completing its first UK centre for people with mental health issues thanks to an asbestos management company.
Acorn Analytical Services, based in Northampton, is one of dozens of firms which have volunteered their expertise to help the Frank Bruno Foundation get its new centre off the ground.
The firm carried out an asbestos refurbishment survey free of charge for the charity prior to work starting to transform the Standens Barn Community Centre in Northampton into the Frank Bruno Foundation Centre.
Frank Bruno MBE said:
“I’ve been knocked out – excuse the pun – by the generosity of people wishing to give their time for my Foundation.
“Charity work has always been part of my working week. The thought that we will soon welcome ‘guests’, who cannot get help from the NHS or social services concerning their mental problems, and hopefully try to improve their mental health issues, perhaps even in a small way, makes me very proud and humble.
“I’d really like to thank Acorn – not just from me but from all the people we hope to help in the future – their work will be appreciated time and time again.
“We’d urge anyone who feels they can donate their time or services to get in touch with us as we will be looking to open other centres soon. Mental health issues are not just in Northampton, they are all over the UK and I hope to help as many people as I can.”
Acorn director Ian Stone added:
“We always look to support our local community and have carried out lots of charity work and provided many donations to good causes over the years.
“When we were approached to see if we could help the charity we jumped at the chance.
“We were extremely proud to be able to help the Frank Bruno Foundation and to ensure that no one is exposed to asbestos as part of the refurbishment programme or when using the centre.”
When the refurbishment work on the centre is complete, it will offer 12-week courses for people with mental health issues. During the evenings it will be used as a boxing gym to provide health and fitness opportunities to some of Northampton’s most vulnerable residents.
For further information about The Frank Bruno Foundation visit www.thefrankbrunofoundation.co.uk.
If you want to find out more about Acorn Analytical Services visit www.acorn-as.com or email info@acorn-as.com.
