A SWINDON-BASED accountancy firm has donated cash to Brighter Futures after hosting a charity luncheon earlier this year.

PPS Chartered Accountants, in Devizes Road, held a Ladies Love Lunch event and managed to raised more than £700 for charities in Swindon and Nepal.

The ticketed fundraising and networking event for women offered the chance to bid on sought-after lots and win raffle prizes.

All the proceeds were split between Brighter Futures and Kidasha, which supports children in Nepal who are neglected and exploited.

Sally Holland, a partner at the Swindon accountants, said: “It’s with great thanks to the women who have made this such a special event that we are able to support two amazing charities.

“The ladies have shown everyone that together we can begin to make positive changes.

“That is very important to us and reflects the way we see ourselves in the community.”

The auction caught everyone’s attention when diamond earrings, donated by Odendaal Diamonds in London, went under the hammer. They were sold for £140.

Other lots included specialist consultations with leading women in business, including the event’s guest speaker, Hazel Robinson.

Hazel, who is a style and image consultant and founder of Nuts About Style, not only shared her wardrobe wisdom with the group, but auctioned a one-to-one session to the highest bidder in the room, raising £60.

A further £120 was raised when Sara Tye auctioned consultations with her business, RedHeadPR.

The raffle prizes included a one-hour lava shell massage at Bloomin Beautiful, a £50 voucher for Run Swindon and a bed and breakfast stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Swindon.

Speaking about why they chose to support Brighter Futures, Sally said: “It’s important to remember that, being based in Swindon, it’s important to look out for the local community.

“Everyone was more than happy to raise funds for the charity because it’s such a worthwhile cause. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer.”