A CHARITABLE trust set up by a county law firm has donated almost £200,000 to local good causes since it was started eight years ago.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys, which has its main offices in Worcester High Street, involves everyone from partners right through to trainees and support staff, who commit time and energy every year to develop innovative fund raising events for its charitable trust. Over the years local good causes, including New Hope Charity and St Richard’s Hospice, have benefited to the tune of £186,000 from donations.

So far this year the trust has helped the Young Musician of the Year Competition, part of the Evesham Music Festival, Broadwas Croquet Club, and Fort Royal community primary school.

Stuart Smith, chairman of Broadwas Croquet Club, said: “The club means a great deal to a lot of people in the area. Croquet is a game for all ages and provides gentle physical exercise coupled with skills and strategy. The club competes successfully in regional and national competitions. The donation from Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ Charitable Trust provided us with smart new shirts and a new way of introducing people to a traditional sport that generally receives little media coverage.”

Mathew Waddington, HCR partner and secretary of the charitable trust, added: "Personal feelings aside, the business community has a responsibility to provide help and support where it can. We have access to those who will be able to help financially but may not know where or how to do that. As a charitable trust we can raise and then distribute that financial support where it is needed most. The good causes we have been able to support over the years provide invaluable help and care. I am honoured to be in a position to be able to help to keep that financial support flowing”.