A TEAM at MHA Monahans has donated £120,000 to local family charities after completing the insolvency of the West Swindon Family Centre.

The centre, which ran the Panda nursery and pre-school in Kembrey Park, went into liquidation in April 2017 due to funding cuts and rising costs.

Steve Elliot, an accountant specialising in business recovery and insolvency, was appointed to the trustees to see through the liquidation, selling the centre’s building, and paying off the remaining creditors.

The surplus which the team managed to save totalled £120,000 and has been split between two chosen charities, Swindon Women’s Aid and Koalas Swindon Opportunity Group.

Steve, an insolvency partner at MHA Monahans, explained: “Through the solvent liquidation process we were able to release these assets and pass on the remaining funds to local charities with similar aims, as nominated by the trustees.

“We’re very pleased to be able to pass on these funds on and continue the incredible support and help that both Women’s Aid and Koalas provide to our local community.

“Small charities everywhere are under tremendous funding pressure and the brave, and timely, decisions taken by the trustees of the West Swindon Family Centre have released this surplus to be put to good use in continuing to help children and families in Swindon.”

Koalas Swindon Opportunity is a special needs playgroup for under-fives, and Swindon Women’s Aid is a domestic abuse service and refuge with women, men and children.

Olwen Kelly, the director of Swindon Women’s Aid said: “The impact on children who live in domestically abusive homes can be significant, yet there is lack of funding to support them to recover.

“We rely solely on fundraising and donations to be able to provide this vital support and this kind donation will enable us to continue this important work.”