A NEW chair-elect of a local charity said he was inspired to get involved in the foundation after his late partner died of cancer last year.

Former charity chief executive and businessman Tom Flood has been appointed as chair-elect of the Dorset Community Foundation and will take over the role from Jeremy Mills in December as one of four new trustees to join the community charity since the end of last year.

Mr Flood, who took over The Conservation Volunteers during a 26-year career there, became involved with the community foundation when he set up a fund supporting young people in memory of his late partner Paul Cornes.

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Mr Flood moved to Dorset in 2012 with his partner, who was a passionate advocate for young peoples’ education. Mr Cornes was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 and sadly died last year.

He said: “Paul always told me to aim high and go for it. He’s the reason I’m involved and he’s the reason I will approach this with total passion and professionalism, because I couldn’t possibly let him down.

“I am enormously proud and honoured to be asked to be the chair-elect because my personal interest means I would like this organisation to be a real shining light of Dorset. With the new trustees coming in we have a great opportunity, with the calibre and the background of these people, to do that.”

Former chief fire officer Terry Standing will become the community foundation’s new vice-chair after joining at the end of last year.

Mr Standing, who spent 31 years in the fire and rescue service, ended his career as Gloucestershire’s Chief Fire Officer.

While in Gloucestershire he became involved with the community foundation there.

He said: “We are that golden thread that links wealthy people in the county with those who are disadvantaged through a range of charities and individuals so I do see it as the number one place for supporting communities.”

Dorset Community Foundation director Grant Robson said of the new additions to the board: “It’s a very challenging time for the voluntary sector but it is also exciting for us to bring all of this experience and knowledge on board. The responsibility we have to communities in Dorset is greater than ever but having such energy and expertise behind us will be an enormous asset.”