International law firm Pinsent Masons has raised £11,725.86 for World Orphan Week 2009, the annual fundraising week for the company’s partner charity, SOS Children’s Villages.

The money was raised through quiz nights, a sponsored ‘Round the World’ challenge and various other initiatives.

During the ‘Round the World’ challenge staff walked, ran, rowed, cycled and swam a total of 19,921.68 miles, successfully making it around the world, with miles to spare. The highest individual contribution came from Ben Laurence in the London office, who is hopefully recovering somewhere, after completing an amazing 208 miles!

Pinsent Masons’ staff recently voted to support a new SOS Children’s Village in Chipata, Zambia. Included in the new Village of 15 family homes will be a Nursery School, Family Strengthening Programme, and medical centre. The money raised by Pinsent Masons will go towards the construction of this much needed medical centre where the HIV prevalence rate is 26 per cent so the need for a medical facility is vital.

The nearest health facilities for the local Chipata people are between three and ten miles away and there is a high mortality rate among children with treatable illnesses and those affected by AIDS. The 2,000 beneficiaries each year will include orphans and vulnerable children, AIDS-affected families, child and grandparent-headed families, pregnant women and newborns. Support in helping the children of Chipata to achieve a better quality of health, is a crucial first step in inspiring their young lives.

Pinsent Masons will continue to support their partner SOS Children’s Village in

Kaifeng, China, and the firm has recently renewed its commitment by paying all of the school fees for children attending the village’s elementary and middle schools.

Jonathan Fortnam, Birmingham based corporate responsibility partner, said: “We are proud of the commitment shown by our people to our global neighbours at a time when there are plenty of issues at home. We know it matters and it’s great to be able to help out through our relationship with SOS Children.”

Kate Fergusson, CR Manager at Pinsent Masons, said: “We are thrilled to have raised such a large amount of money for the SOS Children’s Village in Chipata.

“This was our largest ever firm-wide Starfish event and it just goes to show what can be achieved by working together!”