An Essex company has raised more than £11,000 for its chosen charity in just 18 months.

Birkett Long have been fundraising and holding special events in aid of The Rob George Foundation.

Events varied from smaller activities, such as dress-down days and raffles to larger events like ‘The Big Walk’, where Associate Solicitor Reggie Lloyd and Partner Tim Ogle walked the 81-mile Essex Way in one go, helping to raise over £2,000 in the process.

The Rob George Foundation was set up in memory of the former Colchester Grammar school student and gifted sportsman.

Rob had been living with leukaemia for a number of years and was the son of Birkett Long’s former managing partner Philip George so the foundation is close to the staff’s hearts.

Aiming to assist young people who either have life-threatening or terminal illnesses and who need practical and/or financial support, the foundation also helps young people who demonstrate exceptional commitment and/or ability in the worlds of sport or the performing arts.

Lorraine George, Rob’s mother, said: “The staggering total raised by Birkett Long is testament to how organising lots of quite modest events can achieve something fabulous.

“It is an amazing sum of money that has been raised and, as a result of Birkett Long’s terrific fundraising, approximately 19 young people will be helped.”

Victoria Fenner, a member of the firm’s Charity committee, said: “With a charity that is so close to our hearts, we are all overwhelmed with the huge amount of money we have been able to raise for the Foundation.

"We are so proud to have made this possible, and to be able to make a difference.”

Birkett Long is a full service law firm with offices in Chelmsford, Colchester and Basildon.

. For more information, visit www.birkettlong.co.uk or call 01206 217300.