South West law firm Ashfords has renewed its commitment to partner the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal, with UWE signing up as a supporter for the first time.
The appeal raises £66,000 every year to provide vouchers at Christmas for 1,650 of the city’s most disadvantaged children and young people to buy food, clothes and gifts. 
One of the main fundraisers is a gala dinner which this year is taking place at Ashton Gate Stadium on March 7.
UWE Bristol chose to partner with the charity for the first time this year as part of its commitment to raising aspirations amongst young people in harder to reach areas of the city. Ashfords has been long standing supporters of the Appeal, with this being the fourth year of sponsorship.
UWE pro vice-chancellor for research and enterprise Martin Boddy said: “We are very proud to partner with the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal, as we share in the Mayor’s very real commitment to making a difference.
“Our goal at UWE Bristol is to support and transform lives across the whole of the city. We are particularly pleased therefore to support what is a very grassroots, community-focused charity making a real difference to the lives of some of the most disadvantaged young people in Bristol.”
Ashfords partner and head of its Bristol office Chris Dyson said: “It is very important to us as a firm to support the community in which we live and work. We are delighted to be able to show our ongoing commitment to this very worthwhile charity.”
Chair of the Appeal Bruce Simmonds said: “This is the first time we have worked with UWE and we are very pleased to have them on board as a partner. We’re also delighted Ashfords has chosen to maintain its support of the Appeal, we are very grateful for their commitment.
“Raising aspirations amongst young people in some of our most disadvantaged parts of the city is very important. It is hard to believe that we are one of the UK’s most prosperous cities and yet still home to an unacceptable level of inequality.”
The evening will include entertainment by the UWE Big Band, led by experienced jazz musicians Keith Morgan and Nick Attwood, supported by Ben Waghorn, as well as magician Adrian Pritchard.
Tickets are still available to purchase online at www.lordmayorofbristolappeal.com. They are priced at £75 or £725 for a table of ten. This includes a three-course meal, entertainment and auction.
