Accountancy firm Old Mill has smashed its 2014 fundraising target of £5,000 by raising more than four times as much for its charity of the year – the Piers Simon Appeal’s School in a Bag initiative.
The firm, which has offices in Melksham and Wells, netted £22,000 for the Yeovil-based charity that provides rucksacks filled with stationery, learning resources and eating utensils to poor, orphan, vulnerable and disaster-affected children around the globe.
Staff organised fundraising events throughout the year, the biggest being a 140-mile bike challenge in July. Nineteen staff from across the firm cycled from the Melksham office to the Exeter office via the Wells, Yeovil and Dorchester offices, raising £15,500. 
Staff also held a golf day in October which raised more than £2,500 while smaller events during the year included filling Smartie tubes with 20ps, bake-offs, quiz nights and dress down days which raised a further £3,300. Old Mill then made up the difference to bring the total to £22,000, which will pay for 1,466 school bags.
Head of the firm’s Yeovil office Stuart Grimster said: “The year took us by complete surprise. The way the Yeovil office and the firm as a whole took SIAB to their hearts amazed everyone. This is reflected by the initial target for the year of £5,000 being smashed by the £22,000 raised to date.
“It has also brought everyone together in ways we couldn’t have anticipated, epitomised by the gruelling yet massively enjoyable 140-mile cycle challenge.
“It has been a privilege to have been part of something that has been so successful in so many different ways.”
Pictured: Old Mill staff with the school bags
