Plymouth businesses join accountancy firm in bid to save food bank charity from collapse

Top 30 accountancy firm, Bishop Fleming have raised a lifesaving amount of money for in-crisis charity, Devon and Cornwall Food Action. 

Over 31 businesses and 170 city professionals from across Plymouth joined the firm for a quiz night held on March 4, in bid to help save the struggling charity.

The event held at the new state of the art Mayflower Grandstand at Plymouth Argyle Football Club raised just under £5,000.

Just a few weeks ago, Devon and Cornwall Food Action were on the brink of collapse. It is with thanks to this fundraising event, many online donations from generous people, and the support of many Plymouth businesses that the charity will be able to continue its work for a while longer without such a financial strain.

The food bank is run by a group of volunteers who deliver meal parcels where needed, particularly to schools, churches and community halls. It currently supports over 100 families across the two counties.

Bishop Fleming, which delivers audit, accounting and tax services to business and individuals, are no strangers when it comes to fundraising. The event comes as one of the first its hosted since celebrating its centenary year last year, where it raised £150,000 for 70 charities across the UK.

Alan Dunne, director of Devon and Cornwall Food Action, said: “We are blown away by the generosity of Bishop Fleming and are proud to be their charity of the year. 

“All the funds raised will go to keeping food on plates and to keep the charity going whilst we find sustainable funding, if we lose the charity the bottom line is that people go hungry.

“Bishop Fleming have opened the door for us to the masses of the Plymouth business scene and have given us a great opportunity to connect.

“As a charity we’re not just looking for money, we’re in need of volunteers, particularly professionals who can give us advice to help the charity run.”

The firm joined in partnership with the charity to host the successful event, which saw quizzers enjoy a meal as well as an electronic quiz and raffle where some fantastic prizes were won.

Bishop Fleming also used the event to help develop its junior staffs networking skills, helping them to develop in a comfortable environment with many city professionals, all whilst enjoying the charity quiz.

Womblebond Dickinson won the 2020 annual quiz, as it ran for the fifth consecutive year.

Bishop Fleming Plymouth Partner, Robert Davey said: “Our quiz was an absolute success once again, and it was fantastic to get so many businesses together to help save a local and important charity from disappearing from our community. 

“At Bishop Fleming we go above and beyond to help the communities we serve and following on from what was a very successful year for us, after we raised £150,000, it is great to see our centenary year excitement and fundraising hasn’t stopped going into 2020.

“The event is proof that strong relationships deliver remarkable results, and we would like to thank everybody for their kind donations and joining us for a great evening.”