Fundraising events at Banks, the Swindon-based chartered accountants, have netted nearly £3,000 for a local charity supporting families with children suffering from cancer.
Staff at the firm chose CALM – Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement – as their charity for 2013 and raised the money from weekly bake-offs and a quiz while a team of walkers tackled a hike and director Neil Elsden ran two half-marathons.
CALM chairman Richard Crowley and secretary Lucy Young were recently presented with a cheque for £2,896.84 when they visited Banks’ Stratton office.
Richard said: “We need about £50,000 every year to keep going, so donations like this are really fantastic and we’re very grateful to the team at Banks.
“A major expense is providing holidays for families at the caravans we have, which enable them to spend quality time together and help to create happy memories.”
The weekly bake-off – where staff took turns to bring in cakes to sell – had been a particular hit, said Neil Elsden. “For a team of just over 20 here at Banks, to raise so much is a great achievement,” he said.
Over the past three years, Banks has raised almost £6,500 for local charities. During 2014, the company will be fundraising for TWIGS – Therapeutic Work in Gardening Swindon – which supports people with mental health problems through a focus on a community garden.
Pictured, from left: Banks director Neil Elsden, Lucy Young and Richard Crowley of CALM, and Banks director Richard Mathews
