AN ORGANISATION that helps Keighley people stay clear of debt has received a national accolade through one of its directors.

Chartered accountant Ian Fletcher, from Bradford District Credit Union, has been co-opted to the board of directors of the Association of British Credit Unions.

This is the first time that the district's Credit Union – a financial cooperative for people on low incomes – has been represented on the board of ABCUL.

Ian will help give a voice for credit unions to government, policymakers and the media, while providing of information, training and development services to ABCUL's members throughout the UK.

Ian, who used to live in Cross Roads, has spent many years in general accountancy practice based in Bradford and is now a consultant with a local firm.

A former representative for Bradford Diocese on General Synod, Ian has worked with financially disadvantaged for many years as a Director of Wellsprings Together Bradford.

Bradford District Credit Union works regularly with regeneration body Keighley Big Local to put on conferences and roadshows in Keighley with other partners.

Joint events the past 12 months have included carnival-themed fun days in Hainworth Wood and Thwaites to advise parents on how to get through the summer holidays on a shoestring, the ‘Buy Nowt’ event, which was an alternative to the Black Friday spending spree, the #LoanSharksAreMonsters campaign, and the Safer Internet Day at Keighley College.

Events have proved successful, with many families who attended the events signing up for online Credit Union savings and loan plans, which aim to help residents across Bradford district keep out of the clutches of loan sharks.

Bradford District Credit Union chief officer Andrew Bowker said: "Being retired, Ian Fletcher has personally supported many of these events.

"His appointment to the national Credit Union board means Keighley also has a national voice in tackling financial inclusion, poverty and loan sharks.

"We are grateful for all our board members who volunteer their time to ensure savings and low cost loans are offered across our service area and it is an honour for Ian Fletcher to join the national ABCUL board to champion credit unions like ours.

"We are also pleased to offer members an additional and important way to access their savings and loans with the new debit card, alongside our online and smartphone banking options."inclusion, poverty and loan sharks."

Visit bdcu.co.uk or call 01274 434100 for information about the credit union.