HER Royal Highness, the Countess of Wessex presented a certificate of outstanding service to the former CEO of the Bridgwater-based children’s charity Brainwave.

Brainwave welcomed Sophie Wessex to their North West Centre in Langport on Tuesday (October 8) to recognise Phil Edge for his service for more than 33 years at the charity’s South West Centre in Bridgwater.

It was also a celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the Langport centre.

The charity helps children with disabilities achieve greater independence by delivering a range of physical and educational therapies at its three permanent centres.

Phil Edge, who recently retired, spent many of his years at Brainwave as a Physiotherapist, helping hundreds of children with disabilities achieve their potential.

In recent years, Phil has been leading the charity as CEO but decided it was now time to pass on the baton. A new CEO will be joining the charity in the new year.

Richard Adams, Board of Trustees, said: “Phil has been with us since the birth of the charity, I’m sure he has Brainwave running through his veins! He has had such an outstanding career here and has helped countless children and their families.

“We know it has been a difficult decision for Phil to leave Brainwave but we are so proud of what he has achieved and we are pleased that The Countess is here to recognise his outstanding tenure.”

The Countess also presented Natalie Preston with a Certificate of Appointment as an Ambassador of the charity.

Natalie who is living with cerebral palsy and has been attending Brainwave since she was two years old, recently climbed over The O2 Arena with Brainwave Patron Olly Murs, to raise money for the charity.

So far, Natalie has raised over £18,000 for Brainwave.

The charity does not receive any government funding so relies on voluntary donations and fundraising to run their service.

They help children with a variety of conditions including autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.

To find out more about Brainwave, please visit: brainwave.org.uk.