Birmingham accountants rise to the occasion for charity baking event

ACCOUNTANTS from Birmingham-based chartered accountants JW Hinks have taken part in a charity baking competition to raise funds for local catering charity Lunch On The Run.

Staff at the Edgbaston firm were invited to bake a cake and enter it (for a fee) into a competition to be judged by experts at Michelin starred restaurant – and JW Hinks’ neighbours – Simpsons.

The cakes were then sold off to raise further funds for the charity which enables people with a learning disability to enjoy learning about working in catering.

The Kingswinford-based charity helps people with learning difficulties develop the skills and confidence that improves their chances of finding a job.

Trainees are awarded vocational qualifications and are involved in every aspect of the charity’s work.

Lunch On The Run is JW Hinks’ chosen charity of the year, with various events being organised throughout the year to raise funds including entering a team in the Bupa Great Birmingham Run in October.

The winner of the cake-baking competition was audit manager Martin Spencer with his “Hummingbird” cake.

Higgs & Sons staff give community café a makeover

HELPING the same charity is Black Country law firm Higgs & Sons.

A team of 13 staff from the Brierley Hill-based firm worked against the clock to give the Lunch on the Run charity café in Kingswinford a much-needed facelift without it having to lose a minute’s trading.

The team, led by insolvency solicitor Oliver Ward-Jones and Laura Westwood, a solicitor in the dispute resolution team, painted the main café, hallway and serving area, working late into the night over two days.

Higgs & Sons’ support came as part of the law firm’s commitment to the Business in the Community scheme, which helps team companies up with good causes.

As well as serving food, the café, which is a registered charity helps people with learning disabilities gain valuable work experience and achieve recognised accredited training to help them to progress into future employment.

Oliver said the staff had been delighted to help out with the makeover.

“The café was looking a little worse for wear before we got to work so we were thrilled to be able to help such a worthwhile project,” he said.

Warwickshire accountant helps to fight poverty in the Philippines

A WEST Midlands accountant has embarked on a charity trip to the Philippines to help support communities living in poverty.

Elinor Perry, managing director at Pentlands Accountants, based in Warwick, visited the country to mark the tenth anniversary of the Philippine Community Fund (PCF).

The charity supports families living in shanty towns near city rubbish dumps by providing education, health and community programmes to poverty-stricken families.

Elinor, who has been a trustee in the charity since it started, was appointed chair of the UK board of trustees 18 months ago.

Her work involves looking after the charity’s accounts as well as helping to raise money through a number of fundraising events held by Pentlands Accountants. 

Prior to leaving, Elinor said: “It is extremely important for me to see what life is like there with my own eyes. I have been involved with the charity since the beginning so it is a very personal trip for me.

“The Philippine Community Fund is the main charity that we sponsor at the firm so we have held a lot of fundraisers over the last few years.

“The Pentlands team continue to sponsor a little girl in Manila called Judith. I am particularly looking forward to getting the chance to meet her in person to see how she is doing.”