MORE than 200 people packed Crondall Village Hall on Sunday evening for the launch of The David Hoyle Foundation, a new charitable organisation set up by family and friends of the social scientist and environmental campaigner from Crondall, who was killed by a falling tree near to the village during high winds on June 6 last year.

The audience was introduced to the foundation’s trustees and learnt about its aims and objectives that will look to support educational and environmental projects locally in Crondall and Nguti in Cameroon, the home village of David’s wife Marceline, which adopted David as one of its own when he lived and worked there.

Information was provided on fundraising events that are being organised by the foundation, including the announcement of a cycling and running duathlon that will be held in Crondall in September.

Marceline Hoyle addressed the audience about her husband’s work, his passion for the environment and education, and the aims of the foundation to build a long-lasting legacy within the areas of conservation and community development.

She also thanked all those who had supported her and the couple’s three children, Henry, Kate and Emily since the tragic events of last June.

The formalities were concluded with the cutting of a decorated cake, a Cameroonian tradition, which was performed by Dr Henry Tabe of Woodford Investment Management, who pledged £2,000 to the foundation, and Frank Ilett, managing partner of City based forensic accountancy firm Haberman Ilett LLP, which has selected the David Hoyle Foundation as its charity of the year.

The firm will be organising a number of fundraising initiatives. Further information is available at www.davidhoylefoundation.org.