A LAW firm has chosen Manorlands as its charity of the year.

Schofield Sweeney will raise money for the Oxenhope hospice and its sister Sue Ryder centre in Leeds, Wheatfields.

Staff at the company plan to take part in a wide range of activities.

Managing partner, Martin Sweeney, said: “Community investment is very important to us.

“We provide support to numerous organisations in the region and encourage our staff to participate in initiatives and other charitable projects to ensure we make a positive contribution to the places in which we live and work.

“I have been impressed by the level of enthusiasm from staff as they want to get involved with everything from baking and running marathons to dressing-up and taking part in the mascot race!”

Rachel Cunningham, a senior fundraiser at Manorlands, said she is “absolutely thrilled” the company had chosen to support both hospices.

“Every year at Manorlands we care for more than 1,000 people living with life-changing conditions and support their loved ones,” she said.

“We have been at the heart of the community for more than 40 years, supporting people and their families at a very vulnerable time of their lives, and all our services are free of charge.

“Every year it costs more than £2.7 million to run Manorlands, and more than £1.6 million has to come from voluntary donations.

“It is thanks to companies like Schofield Sweeney we can continue to be here for people and their families when they need specialist care, as well as emotional support.”

Schofield Sweeney, which has offices in Bradford and Leeds, has 23 partners and more than 90 employees.

Manorlands would like to hear from any other businesses interested in getting involved in supporting the hospice.

A range of activities is planned in the coming months.

The annual Keighley BigK 10K run, now one of the hospice’s biggest single fundraisers, takes place on March 15.

The event, which starts and finishes at Victoria Park and links the town’s four main parks, attracts a number of corporate entries.

And the tenth annual Mascot Gold Cup is being held at Wetherby racecourse on April 26. Organisers this year are hoping to set a Guinness world record for most mascots in a race.

Contact the fundraising office on 01535 640430 for more details.