Business summit boost for vital local charity

CELEBRATION: The Rainbow Centre in Fareham benefitted to the tune of £890 when a group of companies donated proceeds from the annual Solent Business Growth Summit. Pictured with staff and pupils from the centre are Paul Duckworth and Samantha Trivino of Smith and Williamson, Simon Rhodes of Trethowans, Gary Jeffries of Hughes Ellard and Joanne Whatley of Santander.

A Hampshire centre that helps children and adults with cerebral palsy and other illnesses has received a significant donation following a major business event.

The Rainbow Centre in Fareham was has been handed a cheque for £890 after charity efforts at the Solent Business Growth Summit.

Maverick entrepreneur Sir John Timpson was keynote speaker at the breakfast event attended by more than 100 business leaders and decision-makers at the Ageas Bowl’s Hilton Hotel, near Southampton.

The four hosts for the fourth annual event have all been involved from the outset of the event – Santander Corporate and Commercial Bank, accountancy, investment management and tax group Smith & Williamson, commercial property consultancy Hughes Ellard and law firm Trethowans solicitors.

Sir John donated copies of his book Keys to Success which were sold to boost the charity at the conference, with department store chain Bradbeers donating £500 for the remaining copies.

Sir John heads the giant, independent Timpson group with 1,940 shops, more than 5,000 staff and a £350m turnover from a core of shoe repairs and key cutting.

The Rainbow Centre, which supports children with cerebral palsy, adults with a stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, head injury and also supports their families, was presented with the money by the Summit hosts.

Centre fundraising manager Yvonne Campbell said: “We are exceedingly grateful for this fantastic donation.

“We are a small organisation and receive no government funding and every penny counts for the children and adults we serve.

“It was also very worthwhile to be at the conference and engage with the Solent region’s business leaders – a perfect opportunity to tell them the Rainbow Centre’s story.”

The centre, which operates the long-established system of learning called Conductive Education and helps more than 140 people from Sussex to Dorset annually, delivers the high figure of 70 per cent of every donation straight to the end-users.

Summit spokesperson Paul Duckworth from Smith & Williamson said: “All four event sponsors wanted to raise some much needed money for a great local charity and thanks to Sir John, the people who bought the book and an excellent donation from Bradbeers, we were able to help vital work of the Rainbow Centre.”

The breakfast summit, promoting business growth in the region, was aimed at senior management and business leaders interested in economic growth and included updates on regional trends and issues for businesses.

Sir John followed three big name speakers at previous summits, businessman Gerald Ratner, food and reggae star Levi Roots and Team Sky cycling founder Fran Miller.

 

Note to editors

The Rainbow Centre for Conductive Education
The Bradbury Building, Palmerston Drive, Fareham, Hampshire, PO14 1BJ
01329 289 500
www.rainbowcentre.org

Hughes Ellard
Property management company
The Malthouse, Cams Hall, Fareham PO16 8UT
01329 220033
www.hughesellard.com

Santander Corporate & Commercial Bank
Banking
Portsmouth Office: 103 Commercial Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 1BG
0800 030 432
www.santander.co.uk/uk/index

Smith & Williamson
Investment, accountancy and tax services
Southampton Office, Cumberland House, 15-17 Cumberland Place, Southampton’, SO15 2BG, 023 8082 7600
www.smithandwilliamson.com

Trethowans
Solicitors
Southampton Office: The Pavilion, Botleigh Grange Business Park, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 2AF
023 8032 1000
www.trethowans.com

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News release issued by:
Cliff Moore, Account Director
Deep South Media

Mobile: 07469 158458 Office: 01202 534487
E-mail: cliff.moore@deepsouthmedia.co.uk
Website: www.deepsouthmedia.co.uk

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Disclaimer

By necessity, this briefing can only provide a short overview and it is essential to seek professional advice before applying the contents of this article. No responsibility can be taken for any loss arising from action taken or refrained from on the basis of this publication. Details correct at time of writing.

 

The tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future.

 

Note to editors

Smith & Williamson is an independently owned financial and professional services group. The firm is a leading provider of investment management, financial advisory and accountancy services to private clients, professional practices, entrepreneurs and mid-to-large corporates. The group’s c1,700 staff operate from a network of twelve offices: London, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cheltenham, Dublin (City and Sandyford), Glasgow, Guildford, Jersey, Salisbury and Southampton.

 

Smith & Williamson LLP
Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International

 

The word partner is used to refer to a member of Smith & Williamson LLP.