NEWPORT city accountancy firm Phil Bessant Ltd is hosting an awards dinner in aid of St David’s Hospice Care to recognise unsung charity heroes in the community.

The accountancy firm of Caerau Road, Newport, adopted St David’s Hospice Care as its charity of the year and has completed a wide range of events to raise funds.

The firm has have set a target of raising £50,000 over five years and hope to have raised half of that total, £25,000, by the end of December this year.

Having recently held a golf day, a race night and cheese and wine evening at the Fugitives Cricket Club in Rogerstone and taking part in Pretty Muddy, the accountants are now looking forward to hosting a black tie dinner.

Staff member Rebecca Elkins even let the fund raising really go to her head by raising £1,250 through having 15 inches lopped from her hair, which hadn’t been cut for six years.

The Phil Bessant Annual Charity Business Awards black tie dinner, on Saturday, October 15, at the Glen Yr Afon Hotel, Usk, seeks nominations for individuals or businesses thought worthy to receive an award in recognition of their commitment to local businesses.

Wales and Cardiff rugby great, wing Adrian Hadley is guest of honour on the night and will hand out the awards.

Phil Bessant Limited adopted St David’s Hospice Care as its charity of the year with the aim of raising £5,000 but soon realised it had set its sights far too low.

Phil Bessant, MD of the practice, who last year was locked in the firm’s boardroom for charity, said: “We have already gone way beyond our initial target of raising £5,000, so have re set the bar at £50,000.”

Phil said: “Everyone in the office has been involved in the effort to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care. I am delighted at the sum of money we have managed to collect so far but the work goes on to achieve our new target.

“We hope to raise a considerable amount through the awards dinner and also by staging a Beaujolais Day at the Lion Hotel, Blaenavon, on Thursday, November 17.”

Kris Broome, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “Phil Bessant and his marvellous staff have worked tirelessly over the months in their efforts to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care in so many different ways.

“I’d now like to encourage as many people as possible to nominate people or perhaps the place where they work for a Phil Bessant Charity Business Award.

“We’re so grateful as all the money raised by Phil Bessant Accountants will help us to continue to fund the vital work that we deliver free of charge to people throughout our community.”

For details about the charity awards dinner or the Blaenavon Beaujolais Day contact lisa@philbeassant.co.uk