Specialist Chartered Accountants based in East Anglia

Lovewell Blake Chartered Accountants

Media Centre

LB150 Challenge heading to £150,000 target in 2012

10 January 2012

A sponsored London bridges walk is planned to be the culmination of five years of activities to raise £150,000 for local good causes by accountants at Lovewell Blake.

The project, known as the LB150 Challenge, was set up in 2008 to mark the 150th anniversary of the firm whose founding at Great Yarmouth predated official recognition of accountancy as a profession.

Total funds raised to date stand at £127,000 with 63 local charities and community groups having received grants through Norfolk Community Foundation.  Ongoing and new activities are planned to reach the target by the autumn.

“There’s a lot of excitement through the firm going into the final year,” says Richard Keeler, manager at the Great Yarmouth office of Lovewell Blake who is chairman of the fund raising panel.  “We felt we should mark reaching the target with a big event in the capital and we’re planning a route for the walk that takes in the Olympic Stadium with London bridges.”

Other energetic activities on the 2012 calendar are a further attempt at the Three Peaks challenge – completed in 2008 but not within 24 hours – and a coast-to-coast cycle ride across northern England. 

Over the past year almost £30,000 has been raised through fund raising activities and support from partners.   Two ongoing activities, Give As You Earn payroll contributions and monthly dress-down Fridays, produced almost £5000 – a level maintained despite the economic downturn.

Major fund raising activities included a sponsored ten-mile walk involving staff from the firm’s five offices, a golf day at Rookery Park, Carlton Colville, and a series of race and quiz nights.

“It’s very encouraging how many of our staff have taken part in these activities,” adds Mr Keeler.  “We want to make 2012 a year for us all to remember.”

The grants of up to £2000 are aimed at smaller, often little-known groups with many supporting the disadvantaged.   Recent beneficiaries include Mettingham village hall in almost daily use for community activities and the Warren Association to provide facilities for the Warren School at Lowestoft for those with learning difficulties. 

“Lovewell Blake were one of the first businesses in Norfolk to support Norfolk Community Foundation when it was formed,” says its director Graham Tuttle.  “We are so pleased to have gone on this journey with them and there are now many charities and community groups across the county that have benefitted from the hard work of their staff and their generosity.”

To apply for a grant contact the Foundation on 01603 623958 or visit www.norfolkfoundation.com.