Staff at a law firm have been inspired to make 'green' changes after fundraising for a Dorset sustainability charity.

Blanchards Bailey LLP, which has offices across Dorset including in Weymouth and Dorchester, raised £2,000 for Sustainable Dorset through a series of events staged by staff in their spare time.

Workers have gone further and have been reducing the company's carbon footprint and switching to local suppliers at its offices.

Sustainable Dorset aims to raise awareness and increase interest and involvement in sustainability, such as local food systems, renewable energy and low-carbon travel.

The main fundraising event of the year for the organisation was the 'Rollapalooza' static bike race night at Bryanston School, plus bingo, quiz and skittles evenings.

Blanchards Bailey Senior Associate Emma Needham, who headed the firm’s charity and social committee, said: “We have been really impressed with the work that Sustainable Dorset is doing and helping them raise their profile, as well as providing much needed funds was a pleasure.

“The organisation supports and encourages sustainable activity all across Dorset by working with businesses and by organising events for the public.

“Supporting Sustainable Dorset over the year has given all the team the inspiration to live and work a little bit greener and really make a difference.”

She added: “As a firm, we’ve been focussing on sustainability and have been looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. As a part of this, we’ve been reviewing our suppliers and switching to local ones where possible.

"For example, we now use Craig’s Farm Dairy, based near Weymouth, to deliver milk to our offices. As Dorset is full of great suppliers and businesses it makes sense to use those on our doorstep.

“We saw supporting Sustainable Dorset as a great opportunity to gain inspiration for ways to develop the firm’s attitude towards sustainability and find new ways to improve our own impact on the environment.”

Sustainable Dorset Chairman Andrew Barker said: “We are immensely grateful for the support. Obtaining donations to support the growth and development of our charity is essential and the sum raised by Blanchards Bailey is a huge help.

“We are also delighted that the company and the firm’s staff have also made lifestyle changes themselves after becoming more aware of our principles and the need for everyone to act in a sustainable way."

Blanchards Bailey has also announced the two charities it will be supporting next year following nominations by staff to the firm’s charity and social committee – Longmead Community Farm at Milborne St Andrew and Dorchester Youth Theatre.