A CHILDREN'S hospice charity moved into its new offices in the heart of the town centre on Wednesday.

Jessie May were given a free office in Tricentre 3 after Mayor Maureen Penny suggested that Fig Offices support their cause.

The new offices will give the Bristol-based charity a Swindon hub which will make it easier for their nurses to help people in the town and work with local businesses to raise awareness and much-needed funds for their work.

Mayor Penny said: "It's a really special day, to have them with a Swindon address and phone number is great.

"This is one of my chosen charities so I asked Fig Offices if they had any charities they wanted to support and suggested Jessie May.

"Debbie has worked very hard to get the contract together, I'm so proud of the team."

Debbie Clarke, Jessie May Trust's community fundraising officer for Swindon and Wiltshire, was delighted with their new home.

She said: "It's the start of many good things, it has a great networking space and the room and services have been provided for free so all the money we get will go towards the charity."

Jessie May team leader Jo Conroy was thankful for

She said: "It's lovely to have a purpose-built office, it will hopefully give us a bigger profile in Swindon

"Everyone has been really welcoming and friendly and it's great to be in the centre of town.

"We have a brilliant team and we're here to make a difference for young people and their families."

Kristina Granat, Fig’s Swindon Centre Manager: “When we opened for business this autumn we wanted to do something tangible for a deserving local charity and found that the Jessie May Trust needed some central office space.

"We had heard of their reputation as a much-loved children’s hospice at Home and thought we could donate a new home for them to operate from, helping them to concentrate on their fundraising activities.

“We are all really delighted to welcome them as the first of many new occupiers at our Fig Swindon centre and to provide complimentary serviced office space."

Debbie added: "We cannot thank Kristina and her team enough for their help and support throughout.

"To be in the heart of Swindon makes a huge difference to us and the ability to really be part of the town’s business and professional community."

Dennis's Removals and Storage offered their services free of charge to the charity and helped them move in.

Jessie May provides vital respite care and end-of-life care for terminally-ill children, along with emotional and bereavement support for their families.