Charities cheer ongoing commitment as Chamber Patrons Wilkin Chapman Rollits continues fundraising golf day
Robin Simmonds (Wilkin Chapman Rollits); Brian Deehan MDUK; Richard Field (Wilkin Chapman Rollits); Jonny Bottomley (Dove House Hospice); James Marsden (Wilkin Chapman Rollits); Pat Coyle (Wilkin Chapman Rollits)
The event at Brough Golf Club, which has been organised and sponsored by Rollits for the last 37 years, signalled the commitment of the firm to continue a fundraiser which was supported by businesses from a wide range of sectors as players and sponsors and is a powerful reminder of the impact local businesses can have when they come together for a cause.
Robin Simmonds, CEO of Chamber Patrons Wilkin Chapman Rollits, said:
“In bringing together two historic firms to create what is recognised as a regional legal powerhouse we were conscious from the outset that in addition to securing benefits for our business and our clients we have a responsibility to support our communities.
“Our ongoing charity activities have continued, and this was the first combined charity event since the merger. It was a great success and an opportunity for some people within Wilkin Chapman Rollits to meet key business contacts for the first time. More importantly it raised much-needed funds for Dove House Hospice and MDUK and we are grateful to all the businesses who helped us do that.”
Representatives of Dove House Hospice and Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) welcomed the ongoing support of a firm which was created by the merger in April of Wilkin Chapman and Rollits and which has more than 500 people operating from Grimsby, Lincoln, Louth, Hull, York and Beverley.
Brian Deehan, of MDUK’s East Yorkshire branch, said: “It’s brilliant that Wilkin Chapman Rollits are continuing the golf day. I have been doing it for 18 years and there is more to it than raising money because the firm does the work and it becomes very easy for us compared to some of the other events we organise ourselves.
“The charity is doing very well and nationally we have a new CEO who is working on a new plan focusing on transforming the lives of more people with muscle wasting and weakening conditions. It will involve the MDUK community, staff, volunteers, supporters and key stakeholders to help us all rise to the many challenges in the months and years to come. Events like today will help us deliver that.”
Jonny Bottomley, Partnership Development Fundraiser for Dove House, added: “Before the merger both Rollits and Wilkin Chapman were great supporters of Dove House Hospice. They both have the culture and values of supporting the community and it is great to see that they will continue to do that.
“It’s events like this, and especially the continuous nature of the commitment, which form the cornerstone of our fundraising. We rely on the community that we serve to raise funds for us. That commitment over 38 years has helped to build stability.
“The day itself is a great opportunity to maintain existing relationships and build new partnerships in a relaxed environment. It gives us a chance to understand the needs and also the challenges that businesses face and to work in the true fashion of partnership. It also provides a great platform to explore ways that we can work together for mutual benefit.
Matt Scarr, Head of Sales and Marketing at Reality Solutions, an independent provider of IT solutions, initially attended the day as a guest and has entered a team for the last three years.
He said: “We get the good end of the deal – talking to people and playing golf. But that pales into insignificance against what you are raising the money for. I have always been very keen on things like this, and businesses should do more of it.
“We do it in our business and we don’t just hand over cheques. We get involved in what the charities are doing and volunteering is part of that. We recognise that donating time is often even more important than donating money.”
Paul White, Director of commercial property agents Garness Jones, added: “I’ve attended this on a few occasions in the past and this is the second year that we have put a team in. It’s always a fantastic day out, very well attended and extremely well run in support of two important charities. We are always keen to support it.”
With 18 teams taking part, the competition was closely contested with the team of Nick Alstrom, Iain Ward. Freddie Haith and David Hextall winning the tournament with a score of 87 points. A huge congratulations to the other prize winners, which included teams from Addy & Co, Walker Modular, Spectrum Group, Garness Jones and Handelsbanken.
The golf day is traditionally held on the first Thursday of July, and the firm is already exploring ideas to make next year's event even more successful.
