Stockport accountants and business advisers Hurst have chosen Seashell Trust as the firm’s charity of the year.
Seashell Trust, based in Cheadle Hulme, provides education, sport and leisure activities and residential care for children and young people aged who have profound physical and learning disabilities, deafness, blindness and autism.
Hurst will dedicate its efforts towards raising thousands of pounds for new specialist gym equipment.
Fundraising activities planned by the firm include undertaking a sponsored Three Peaks Challenge in fancy dress and entering a team in the 10km Great Manchester Run.
Other events will include a quiz night, a bake-off competition and the firm’s annual corporate football tournament.
In addition, staff will take part in a summer ‘away day’ at Seashell Trust when they will devote their time to improving the grounds.
Hurst partner and director of practice development Simon Brownbill said: “Seashell Trust does amazing work with children and young people who have some of the most complex needs and disabilities in society and have little or no ability to communicate.
“Exercise makes an important contribution towards their mental health and well-being, and we are delighted to be supporting Seashell Trust’s appeal for new gym equipment.
“Seashell Trust was our charity of the year in 2011 and we felt we really made a positive difference back then.
“We hope that our fundraising and ‘away day’ activities in 2016 will have the same impact as they did the last time.”
Dominic Tinner, Seashell Trust’s head of fundraising, said: “We are extremely grateful to Hurst for choosing us as their charity of the year and look forward to working with them again.
“We rely on donations to provide our children and young people with the very best facilities and life experiences possible.
“Working with successful businesses such as Hurst not only enables us to raise valuable funds but is also a great opportunity to raise awareness of our work in the business community.
“Our aspirations include ensuring that the children and young people who come to Seashell Trust have access to the same opportunities as others, including sport.
“Each of our young people has an individual education and care plan, with sport and physiotherapy an integral part of their education.
“We’ve had some amazing results from students who have used our gym equipment with the physios here, particularly in terms of increasing mobility and improving confidence and self-esteem.”