Home-Start East Surrey is happy to announce formally that Mrs Sally Marks, Vice-Chairman of Surrey County Council, has agreed to become the charity's Patron.

Mrs. Marks, from Woldingham, will be the Guest of Honour at Home-Start's forthcoming Annual General Meeting to be held at Bletchingley Golf Club, Church Lane, Bletchingley, on Thursday 12th September at 10am to which members of the public are also warmly invited.

Sally Marks, a long-standing County councillor for Caterham Valley who is also the Vice-Chairman of Surrey County Council, has always been an active supporter of Home-Start East Surrey. Home-Start is a registered charity offering assistance and friendship to families from Redhill, Reigate and Horley to Caterham, Bletchingley, Oxted and throughout Tandridge and the surrounding areas. Sally attended the charity's recent Italian Evening fundraising event and looks forward to her new role as Patron and helping to raise the profile of this charity which provides vital services to young families with children under the age of five in need of support, help and friendship.

The Town Mayor and Chairman of the Town Council of Horley, Councillor Richard Olliver, as well as Councillor Dr. Lynne Hack, Mayor of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead and Councillor Beverley Connolly, Chairman of Tandridge District Council will also attend.

Home-Start East Surrey, established 18 years ago, has offices in Redhill and Oxted. The organisation is guided and supported by the national organisation, Home-Start UK, which provides both central resources and a regional support structure and is the country's leading family support charity.

Trained volunteers, who are parents themselves or who have had parenting experience, choose to share their time, skills and experience with other parents in their community. All volunteers are carefully selected, prepared and supported for their work with families.

Home-Start is appealing for more volunteers and trustees. For more information please contact: Debbie Wade, Scheme Manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or at Home-Start East Surrey, Suite 2 Second Floor, Tower House, 3 Cromwell Road, Redhill, RH1 1RT, or by calling 01737 770220.