Businesses and visitors to Brindleyplace have helped raise almost £90,000 for UK charities over the past year.

Working in conjunction with a range of charities, selected in partnership with Brindleyplace employees, a variety of fund-raising events and initiatives were hosted on the mixed-use estate throughout the past year.

The most successful fund-raising event was the annual Dragonboat Festival in which 20 local businesses competed in a race down the Birmingham canal. Combined with fund-raising by local networking group, Pears, and tenant contributions to the Brindleyplace Gift Tree over the Christmas period, this resulted in the largest single donation of £36,000 being gifted to Barnardo’s.

A staggering 1,200 Gift Tree presents were purchased, mainly by Brindleyplace employees, providing underprivileged children from across the Midlands with much-needed gifts and festive cheer.

Victoria Crook, corporate account associate, of Barnardo’s said: “Brindleyplace have raised a fantastic amount of money for Barnardo’s over the past year, all of which has gone directly to help us continue our vital work with over 19 000 vulnerable children, young people and their families in the Midlands. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone at Brindleyplace and look forward to upcoming activities in 2009.”

Kate Gregson, PR and marketing manager for Brindleyplace, added: “We are delighted to have raised such a huge amount for charity over the past year. We could not have achieved this without the combined support of Brindleyplace businesses, employees and the wider community, who attended and contributed to events on the estate.

“In light of the current economic climate, 2009 has been predicted to be a particularly difficult year for UK charities, and as such we will be doing everything we can to maintain the high profile of our fund-raising activities throughout the year ahead.”

Events ranging from quiz nights to an annual sports day at Brindleyplace helped to make further significant charity donations during the past year. These were made to charities including Acorns Children’s Hospice, Mencap and the local Ladywood community.

With the 2009 Dragonboat Festival shortly to be announced, the Brindleyplace team remains committed to fund-raising and is exploring new charities to support throughout the year ahead.