A sizzling summer barbecue organised by employees at Walker Smith Way solicitors, has proved a bumper charity fund-raiser, bringing in a total of £2,405.
The annual get-together, which this year included for the first time an auction of promises, was strongly supported by staff from both Walker Smith Way's offices, in Chester and Wrexham.
Proceeds will be split equally between two charities voted for by employees: research into the rare genetic condition tuberous sclerosis complex, (TSC), suggested by Mary Owen a secretary in the Chester office; and Wrexham-based Teams4U, nominated by secretary Ciara Whittaker, based at the Wrexham office.
Mary, of Chester, is delighted at the news. Her son Richard, 36, has TSC, a gene disorder, which causes symptoms including epilepsy, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and kidney problems.
Mary said: "There is no cure for TSC but more research into the condition is desperately needed."
Mary who has been a secretary at Walker Smith Way for 30 years, said: "Since Richard was diagnosed in 1977 there has been a lot of progress, but more money is still needed. That's why I was so pleased when colleagues agreed to help the fund-raising campaign. It is a little known condition and sufferers need all the support we can offer."
The other charity to benefit from the fundraiser is Teams4U, established by well-known Wrexham fund-raiser Dave Cooke, also the founder of the charity, Operation Christmas Child.
He later set up Teams4U to develop practical and welfare based assistance for communities in impoverished countries. This year, it has helped establish summer soccer and fun camps for children in Uganda, Crimea, Belarus, Romania and Ukraine.
Walker Smith Way marketing manger Elen Rowlands said: "Both the charities selected offer valuable help to people in need. I think that the knowledge we were directly helping two colleagues' fundraising campaigns gave extra impetus to our efforts.
The fund-raiser was a great success, a chance for colleagues to have fun and socialise while also supporting good causes. We'd like to thank all the local businesses who have supported us and so generously donated prizes for the charity auction. We couldn't have done it without them."
