Legal firm's donation boosts city charity project

AN ‘at risk’ charity project, which supports people with dementia, has moved a step closer to being saved, thanks to a donation from Exeter solicitors Cartridges Law.

Developed in partnership by Age UK Exeter and Studio 36, the Budding Friends initiative provides a weekly allotment project through the spring and summer and art workshops for people living with dementia.

But cuts in funding have meant the organisers have had to turn to the public and local businesses for support.
  
Cartridges Law, which has supported the initiative by providing exhibition space in their offices, near Age UK Exeter in St Thomas, launched a fundraising drive to help the organisers reach their £5,000 target. 

A recent fundraising evening raised £580; this was match-funded by Cartridges Law bringing the total to £1,160 – leaving a shortfall of £3,840, which needs to be sourced to keep the Budding Friends initiative alive.

Martyn Rogers, CEO at Age UK Exeter, said they were delighted with the support they had received from Cartridges Law and appealed to other members of the community to support the project.

He added: ‘Cartridges Law is a fantastic example to other companies about what doing business in the local community really means, and how the two can link for the benefit of everyone.’

Bridget Garrood, partner at Cartridges Law, said: ‘We have been privileged to support and exhibit artwork from the Budding Friends artists, and were saddened to learn that their funding for this project has been lost. 
  
‘We committed to help them find the £5,000, which is needed to allow this much-needed support group to continue and we have been able to raise a fantastic £1,160, but need to find the remaining £3,840. The Budding Friends initiative means so much to many people and provides help and advice to people living with dementia, including the carers. 
  
‘In addition to the art and allotment projects, Age UK Exeter also runs a support group giving people with dementia and their carers the time to talk, share and get advice. All these services combined are invaluable to so many and work together to provide the support needed in a holistic way, it would be very sad to lose part of it due to the lack of funding.’  

On the 9th May Karyna Squibb, Daniel Smith and Ros Davies from Cartridges Law lent a hand for some of the heavier work on the Budding Friends allotment, clearing space and digging to get it ready for planting.
  
In December Cartridges Law hosted a private view for the artists and supporters of the Budding Friends artwork project so they could show off their colourful work which has been on display in the Cartridges Law office foyer. New work from a different set of Budding Friends Artists is now on display- with information about the project, and is open to the public in office hours. 

If you would like to offer your support, please contact Kathy at Cartridges Law on 01392 286779 or e-mail kathy.hulland@cartridgeslaw.co.uk.