A LAW firm that has offices in Weymouth and Dorchester has shown its backing for one local charity after donating £3,000.

Legal eagles from Battens Solicitors have donated the money to Julia’s House Hospice, as the organisations looks to raise around £40,000 for the refurbishment of its Corfe Mullen hospice for children.

The hospice cares for children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions who live in Dorset, and Mark Allwood accepted the cheque from Battens’ charitable trust.

Mark said: “With only six per cent of our income from the Government, the free care we provide is only possible through the generosity of supporters such as Battens Solicitors.

“We are very grateful for this latest donation, which is the largest so far in nearly 10 years of support from Battens.

“It means we are now over half way towards reaching our target for the refurbishment programme.”

Julia’s House cares for about 100 children and their families, with dedicated support available for parents and siblings as well as the poorly child.

It needs to raise around £4.6million this year to run its Dorset services. The refurbishment programme includes a purpose-built Mermaid Suite for end of life care, conservatory and music room, lounge, kitchen and nurse and care administrators’ stations.

Battens has donated £4,285 to Julia’s House since 2008 and takes part in the charity’s Free Wills Service which allows people to leave a gift to the charity when having a will written free of charge through Battens.

Christine Butterfield and Natalie Mason – who are both solicitors in Battens’ tax, wills, estates and trusts department - presented the money after the latest of their face-to-face appointments in Wareham.

Natalie said: “Julia’s House do such fantastic work and we are pleased to be able to support such a valuable local charity on an ongoing basis.”

Christine added: "Our charitable trust exists to help such worthy causes and help them make a difference to so many lives in the community."

Battens set up the charitable trust in 1985 to support community initiatives, local charities and other causes.

All Battens offices in Weymouth, Dorchester, Sherborne, Yeovil and London are offering the free will writing service for Julia's House.

A provision of £100 could pay for a carer to support a child for one day, £500 for a morning's care at the hospice for six children, £8,000 for a part-time carer for a year and £33,000 covers the cost of a full-time community nurse for one year.

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830987

e: lee.irving@dorsetecho.co.uk

Twitter: @DorsetEchoLee