Two local professional firms
joined forces to organise two seminars which raised monies for ‘Stop Abuse For
Everyone’ (SAFE). Haines Watts Forensic,
a national chartered accountancy firm and professional chartered financial
planners and wealth advisers Towry, held the joint seminars in central
Exeter. The events, aimed at family law
barristers and solicitors, focused on financial volatility during the divorce
process and offered solutions to the impact on clients’ financial settlements.
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Chris Thorpe, Tax Director - Haines Watts Chartered
Accountants/ Lisa Crockford, Associate Partner Haines Watts Forensic / Chris
Collier, Chair of Trustees SAFE and Eliana Sydes, Wealth Adviser
Towry
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The
two events helped to raise money for Exeter-based SAFE with donations from
delegates individually match-funded by both Haines Watts and Towry to a total
of £400.00.
Lisa Crockford, Associate
Partner – Haines Watts Forensic says: “Haines Watts Forensic and Towry offer complementary
services during the divorce process and we quickly identified common issues we
face and the benefit of offering a joint seminar to local family lawyers. The seminars were well received and as a
result we are looking to roll out more events across the South West region in
the New Year. As a business we always
look to give something back to the local community and we are delighted to have
raised much needed funds and awareness for this worthy cause.”
The
majority of the monies raised will be utilised to buy Christmas presents for
the women and children accommodated in the Exeter Refuge which offers refuge to
victims fleeing domestic abuse. And part
of the proceeds will fund a special Christmas party for the dedicated charity volunteers
who missed out on a festive celebration last year because of lack of funds.
Mark Wilkins, wealth advice
manager, Towry says: “Given
Towry’s work in the area of financial planning for families, it is a natural
fit to join up with Haines Watts Forensic in providing these seminars,
which proved successful with local
professionals. It is fantastic that the funds raised at the seminars for SAFE
will help abused mothers and children in Exeter and the surrounding region.”
Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE) works with all affected by,
and experiencing all forms of domestic violence and abuse in Exeter, East and
Mid-Devon. The work of the charity is part
of a multi-agency strategy and is both effective and independent. 24% of the
total recorded violent crime reported to Devon and Cornwall police is domestic
abuse. It is estimated that every £1
spent on SAFE services, represents a minimum saving of £3.20 to the public
purse. SAFE’s Crisis/Helpline offers free and confidential support and every
year receives about 2,000 calls which increase significantly over Christmas.
Chris Collier, Chair
of Trustees SAFE says: “The charity was established
in Exeter 35 years ago and now has several services. Our Outreach team work in
Exeter, East and Mid Devon offering a range of specialist services while a
smaller team work alongside specialist police with high-risk victims. Our large
and welcoming Refuge has 11 rooms and is available 24/7, 365 days a year. This year, 71 women, 62 children and young
people escaping domestic violence were accommodated there. Christmas is a very
difficult time for these victims and I am so grateful to Haines Watts and Towry
for providing much needed funds and raising awareness of our services. We can now buy the children and the mothers,
who normally put themselves last, Christmas presents and inject some fun and
laughter into their lives.”
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