A murder mystery event staged by the Bristol office of regional law firm Clarke Willmott has raised £3,500 to city-based modern anti-slavery charity Unseen.
Twenty-five teams completed challenges around the city to solve the mystery before heading back to the firm’s Georges Street office for chilli, drinks and the all-important results. 
Challenges included a quiz, a game of Articulate, Lego sculpture-building and a treasure hunt at various pubs and bars. Extra points were awarded to teams with the best fancy dress and best team name.
First place went to SRA Architects with the fitting team name ‘We Dunnit’. Team members were Chris Jones, Emma McDermott, Elizabeth Anderson and Kayleigh Bonnet along with Josh Roberts and Karen Howe from Clarke Willmott.
The money raised came from entry fees and raffle ticket sales as well as donations in the form of bribes given to supervising volunteers in return for better scores.
Clarke Willmott partner and head of CSR Philip Edwards said: “We are delighted that our event has been such a success, and that we succeeded in raising such a substantial amount in support of Unseen.
“The work that Unseen is doing to help put an end to the suffering of the many victims of human trafficking and modern slavery is very important and we are proud to have raised this money to help support the charity in this essential work.”
Unseen provides victims of human trafficking and modern slavery with support, shelter, and ongoing care, as well as working with the Home Office and the UK’s Human Trafficking Centre to help develop and shape UK policy.
Funds raised will provide 125 hours of one-to-one support from a skilled support worker at one of Unseen’s safe houses. These sessions are designed to teach victims of modern slavery how to cope with post-traumatic stress or flashbacks, or to support them with a police investigation.
Unseen has been Clarke Willmott’s Charity of the Year since 2016 and will continue to fundraise on its behalf until 2019.
Unseen UK head of fundraising Hannah Young said: “The Clarke Willmott Murder Mystery evening was a fantastic night bringing together some of the best businesses in Bristol in aid of Unseen.
“The teams made use of their detective skills and were particularly good at utilising their negotiating skills to persuade the event organisers to award more points in exchange for more donations!
“The money raised will make a huge difference to the people we support. Thank you to all the teams who took part on the night and to Clarke Wilmott for such an impactful partnership with Unseen, working towards a world without slavery.”
