Law firm donates thousands to 5 Buckinghamshire charities

The decision comes after all staff at the law firm met with each charity and voted in a new scheme launched in conjunction with Heart of Bucks, which allowed them to directly influence the amount of funding each charity should receive.

The other winners were:

· Youth Concern in Aylesbury, which transforms the lives of 500 disadvantaged, vulnerable young people ever year received £2500;

· Lindengate, Wendover, which helps people with mental health problems through the power of the natural environment received £2500;

· Young Enterprise, Bucks which helps young people to develop key skills for the future received £1000

· Sea Cadets, Marlow which supports the development of young people and offers training programmes in leadership, teamwork and a range of physical activities received £1000.

The funding scheme which offered £10,000 in total, attracted over 100 applications from charities across the county and were shortlisted down to the five that best reflected B P Collins’ three corporate social responsibility values - building stronger communities, providing better futures and creating safer lives.

April Benson, from Aylesbury’s Women Aid’s ‘Helping Hands’ which scooped the top donation said: "We are delighted to secure £3000 from B P Collins. The money will go towards our children's programme offered to primary schools that increases children's understanding of feeling safe and helps them to learn behaviours that will contribute to a safe environment.

"All the organisations and participants who attended the event were genuinely interested in each charity, and we feel very privileged to have won the majority of the vote."

Simon Deans, B P Collins’ partner and Heart of Bucks trustee said:

"We are grateful to the charities for talking to our teams about the vital work they do and the potential impact of our funding.

"The staff found the experience invaluable. There is only so much you can ascertain from reading about a charity online, so having the chance to talk directly to these inspiring organisations, which are making a real difference to people’s lives in Bucks, helped everyone to make an informed and impassioned decision on where B P Collins’ funding should go."

Peter Costello, Chief Executive of Heart of Bucks added: "It’s great to be working in partnership with B P Collins in supporting local charities who are working tirelessly to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in their community.

"Having recently spoken to the charities who were shortlisted, there was a real appreciation for the opportunity to be working so closely with a business that takes its CSR responsibilities so seriously."