Richmond resident Bettina Grönblom Hammerich is about to see two years of hard work come to fruition.

Since 2005, the management and strategy consultant has been working on a pro-bono basis as director of the Tutu Foundation UK, a new charity created to educate young people about tolerance, conflict reconciliation and leadership.

The principles of the Foundation are based on the life experiences of Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah Tutu.

Now Bettina is fundraising and managing logistics for the Foundation's gala launch in London on June 28.

By combining formal training with community service, the Foundation will teach young people from the UK and South Africa aged 18 to 25 the tools necessary to end conflicts peacefully, promote tolerance, support diversity and make a positive difference in the local and global communities.

For the past two years Bettina has dedicated her time towards building the Foundation from the ground.

This included registering the charity; creating the mission, business plan and web site; finding pro-bono artists to create the Foundation's logo; researching and designing the programmes; and selecting The Prince's Trust and VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) as programme partners.

She is currently working to obtain donated items for auction at the Gala, and to confirm the event's London venue.

Fellow Richmond resident Malcolm Alexander also helps the Foundation in his role as a trustee.

The Foundation's philosophy statement: "We can be human only together", underscores Bettina's life. She has focused a great deal of her professional efforts on helping developing countries and women, and also served as vice chairman for Uganda Women's Effort to Save Orphans UK Trust.

"The Tutu Foundation UK is all about Ubuntu'," says Bettina. "It's an African philosophy that promotes community. It is the belief that my humanity is tied to yours. When I care for you, I care for myself."

For more information visit tutufoundationuk.org. For tickets to the June 28 gala, or to make an auction or monetary donation, call 020 7367 6702 or email info@tutufoundationuk.org.