Law firm's fundraising tops £22,600

Half of the funds have been presented to Brieley Hill-based Higgs’ charity of the year, Dudley Mind, with the remainder equally split between 10 good causes supported by the Higgs Charitable Foundation.

Dudley Mind, based in Stourbridge, is a local mental health charity that aims to improve and promote recovery and wellbeing for people in the Dudley borough affected by poor mental health.

Mark Evans from Dudley Mind said: “We are extremely grateful to Higgs & Sons for choosing us as their charity of the year.

“The £11,300 raised is a huge amount of money which will make a real difference to the work that we do helping people with mental health problems find ways of coping with their mental health issues and make progress in their recovery.”

Higgs & Sons' extensive corporate social responsibility programme supports a range of projects throughout the region each year. As well as selecting a dedicated charity, Higgs employees also provide hands on support to many other organisations, committing time and resources in support of the work they do within the Black Country and the wider West Midlands.

And while Dudley Mind was the main beneficiary, the Higgs Charitable Trust was also able to present cheques for £1,130 to the following 10 organisations: Breast Cancer Haven, Cancer Support at The White House, Edward’s Trust, The Mary Stevens Hospice, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, Beacon Centre for the Blind, We Love Carers, The Animal House and the CAB Dudley Borough.

Fundraising events over the year included the annual Higgs six-a-side football tournament, the firm’s own version of the Three Peaks Challenge – Peaky Climbers – that raised more than £7,000 and the annual charity quiz, that raised £4,500. Other events included the Worcester half marathon, a netball tournament, cake sales, golf events and individual donations.

Tim Jones, partner and head of the corporate social responsibility programme at Higgs, said: “It is an immense achievement to not only hit last year’s fundraising total but to beat it, and I am incredibly proud of everyone who contributed in any way.

“The reward for us all here at Higgs & Sons is being able to make a real difference to 11 amazing charities that do so much good in our local community.”