Accountants swap books for boots
A team of accountants swapped their books for Wellington boots when they paid a visit to their newly-adopted charity.
Exeter-based Sidaways were given a VIP tour of Farms For City Children at Nethercott House, near Iddesleigh.
The firm of chartered accountants is to focus on raising money for Devon-based charity Farms for City Children as part of the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The trip was arranged so the business could see where the money it raises will be spent.
Children’s author Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare founded Farms for City Children in Devon in 1976. The charity offers urban children from all over the country a unique opportunity to live and work together for a week at a time on a real farm in the heart of the countryside.
Sidaways director, Jeremy Sidaway, said: “We are a family-friendly firm and we all have a love of the countryside around us. Farms For City Children was therefore a natural choice when choosing a charity to support.
“It’s particularly impressive that the charity helps children who may have limited experience of life outside of the urban areas where they live.
“We’re delighted to be able to support and help pay for the children who visit Devon.”
The charity has three working farms around the UK, welcoming around 3,000 children and 400 teachers a year. Among its vice presidents are Exeter chef Michael Caines MBE, actress Joanna Lumley MBE and celebrity gardener Monty Don.
Charity fundraising manager Tracey Izod said local support was invaluable.
She explained: “The more support we receive from local businesses, the better known we get, but it also means we are able to build close relationships on a long-term basis.
“When you have a charity on your doorstep, it means you can come out and see children benefitting from your contribution.”
The next fundraising event for Sidaways is the Rock Solid Race at Escort, on Saturday March 21, when company directors Dan Routcliffe and Sam Andrews will attempt the 15k mud run and obstacle course.
Dan Routcliffe said: “The training is going really well, and we are giving it our all to ensure we are ready for the race. After our visit to Farms for City Children we want to get on and raise as much money as we can for a great charity. It is pleasing to know our supporters’ donations will be going to such a good cause.”
Go to www.justgiving.com/SidawaysLtd to support Sidaways’ fundraising efforts.
For more information on Farms for City Children, email admin@farmsforcitychildren.org or call 01392 276381.
