Business summit donates gift to children's centre

Pictured with staff and pupils from the centre are Paul Duckworth and Samantha Trivino of Smith and Williamson, Simon Rhodes of Trethowans, Gary Jeffries of Hughes Ellard and Joanne Whatley of Santander

THE RAINBOW Centre in Fareham has benefited from a big donation following a business summit.

The centre, which helps children and adults with cerebral palsy and other illnesses, has received a cheque for £890 from charity efforts made at the Solent Business Growth Summit.

Sir John Timpson was keynote speaker at the breakfast summit, which was attended by more than 100 business leaders from across the south.

Held at the Ageas Bowl’s Hilton Hotel, the event saw Sir John donating copies of his book ‘Keys to Success’, which were then sold to boost donations at the popular conference.

The entrepreneur leads independent shoe repairs and key-cutting firm Timpson.

The company has a £350m turnover, 1,940 shops and employs more than 5,000 staff.

Four hosts helped lead the summit and each have been involved in the event since the offset.

These include Santander bank, accountancy and tax group Smith & Williamson, commercial property consultancy Hughes Ellard, and law firm Trethowans.

Upon receiving the cheque, The Rainbow Centre fundraising manager Yvonne Campbell said: ‘We are exceedingly grateful for this fantastic donation.

‘We are a small organisation and receive no government funding and every penny counts for the children and adults we serve.

‘It was also very worthwhile to be at the conference and engage with the region’s business leaders

‘It was a perfect opportunity to tell them the Rainbow Centre’s story.’

The centre also supports adults with a stroke, MS, Parkinson’s and head injury, helping more than 140 people throughout the region.

It delivers 70 per cent of every donation to its end-user.