Paul Wheeler from Buckingham Group Contracting has donated £6,000 to keep a debt advisor at the CAB's Buckingham and Winslow District branch for another year.

The specialist role, part of the home visiting service, was under threat after the Big Lottery Fund recently withdrew financial support, and members of BACAB – the branch's fundraising group – had launched an urgent appeal.

Mr Wheeler, managing director of Buckingham Group, said: "We regard BACAB's role in providing a safety net for anyone who needs help in our local community as absolutely vital and we recognise our social responsibilities, as a corporate body, relying on local resources, to put something back into the community where we operate and where many of our employees and their families live."

The CAB's current visiting debt advisor is David Arthur, a former HR director with ICI who has lived in the Buckingham area for 20 years. He deals with a variety of requests to the CAB for help, and spends long hours sorting out paperwork, negotiating with creditors and attending tribunals.

Mr Arthur said: "To have Mr Wheeler's donation is absolutely marvellous."
Janis Harding, manager of Buckingham and Winslow District CAB, said the branch had seen a 25% increase in clients with mortgage and rent arrears in the last quarter.

She added: "When you're in debt, it doesn't go away. To have someone like David with the ability to sort it out is essential. I can't thank Mr Wheeler enough."

Buckingham Group Contracting, based in Silverstone, constructed the MK Dons' new stadium, and is one of the fastest-growing construction firms in the country.

BACAB chairperson Anthony Shillington and vice chairperson Jane Mordue also thanked Mr Wheeler for backing the service.