Bristol charity Empire Fighting Chance, which uses a combination of non-contact boxing and intensive personal support to challenge and inspire young people, has been given by boost by law firm Foot Anstey’s office in the city.
Foot Anstey, a long-standing supporter of the charity, has donated £8,000 so its fundraising and marketing executive Emily Haberfield can undertake a 13- Level 3 Diploma in Fundraising course. 
Emily, who is a boxer herself and an advocate for young people’s mental health, joined the Empire team in February 2020 fresh out of university.
She was immediately faced with the challenge of fundraising while the pandemic was at its peak.
As events were cancelled, Emily spearheaded virtual activity, which achieved the charity’s biggest ever match-funding campaign, bringing in more than £20,000 through the Big Give Christmas Campaign.
As the charity has gone from strength-to-strength through fundraising and donations, it has welcomed Emily as a full-time team member and given her the extra responsibility of building its social media presence.
Emily said: “I have loved every second of being part of the Empire Fighting Chance family. The pandemic brought new challenges to the charity, but I worked with the team to think of creative ways to fundraise.
“I am extremely excited to see what the next 13 months holds and am grateful to both Empire and Foot Anstey for making the apprenticeship possible.”
Foot Anstey partner Nathan Peacey said the firm did not hesitate in helping support Emily’s diploma.
“It was a ‘no brainer’ when Empire approached us and asked if we could help Emily undertake the apprenticeship,” he said.
“At Foot Anstey we love to support local initiatives near our locations across the South West and help empower the ambitions of young people within the region.
“Empire performs fantastic work in Bristol, and I am excited to see what Emily achieves in her apprenticeship and beyond.”
Empire Fighting Chance’ s mission is to fight the impact of deprivation on the lives of people, inspiring them to realise their unique potential.
Its head of fundraising Joanna Le Vannais said: “To be in a position where Emily can undertake the 13-month Fundraising Apprentice Course is incredibly beneficial to the charity.
“The course is designed and delivered by professional fundraisers with the aim of offering charities of all sizes a way to develop their skills in the core fundraising areas.
“Empire Fighting Chance believes in giving all young people the opportunity to reach their potential, so we were doubly excited to be able to offer our valued member of staff a chance to develop their fundraising skills and knowledge through this apprenticeship.
“This is an opportunity we would not have been able to take without the support and generosity of Foot Anstey.
“We know that Emily will be able to bring the skills from this course into the charity and help us to continue to grow our income and therefore help more vulnerable young people.”
Foot Anstey, which has offices in Exeter, London, Plymouth, Southampton, Taunton and Truro as well as Bristol, advises clients in sectors spanning development, energy and infrastructure to Islamic finance and retail and consumer.
