Local Businesses Raise £1,000 for charity in Beach Volleyball Contest
More than 200 professionals from businesses across the South West took to the beach to smash their way to victory in the annual fundraising beach volleyball tournament organised by Battens Solicitors.
In what was a tightly contested competition, Parkers Estate Agents finally won the crown, with Stratton Saxons as runners-up.
Funds from entry fees and contributions from Battens Charitable Trust raised £1,000 for a local charity nominated by those that entered and chosen at random on the day. “We asked each team to nominate a charity of their choice ahead of the tournament and placed the names in a hat,” explained Sarah Ford, from Battens Solicitors.
“West Dorset Motor Neurone Disease Association, which was nominated by Team Spirare, was the charity drawn and it’s a great pleasure to be able to give them the £1,000 cheque.”
Louise Tattershall, director at Spirare said that although they didn’t win all their games, the event made for a very enjoyable evening.
“But what made it even better was that our chosen charity became the event’s beneficiary this year. West Dorset Motor Neurone Disease Association is a charity close to my heart; my mum was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in April 2014, and suffered terribly. It was heartbreaking for our family to watch and to not be able to do anything to help. It is fantastic that, through Spirare Ltd and Battens volleyball event, the West Dorset Motor Neurone Disease Association will receive more funds. We hope there will be a breakthrough for the disease sometime very soon.”
MND is a progressive neurological disease which leads to increasing weakness and, ultimately, death within three to five years of diagnosis. West Dorset MND Association provides support and advice to patients and their families and is one of 90 branches of the MND Association throughout the UK.
Richard Sloan, from West Dorset Motor Neurone Disease Association, said the charity was delighted to be the beneficiary of the tournament’s £1,000 donation. “We will use the funds to help pay for the free advice from our trained volunteers and to fund specialist support for MND sufferers including computerised communication devices, grants for home alterations and holidays.”
To make a donation to MND visit mndassociation.org or for more information on Battens Charitable Trust or to make a donation please visit battens.co.uk/bct