A Cheltenham-based law firm has pledged to support a county charity and paid a visit to their furry friends this week.

Gloucestershire Animal Welfare Association (GAWA) which runs Cheltenham Animal Shelter will be receiving support from the staff at community-focused law firm Willans LLP, which raised close to £20k for cancer charity Maggie's Cheltenham in 2019.

A handful of the law firm's charity committee met with key members of the charity to discuss ways in which they could support them, and met some of the residents.

Founded in 1926, Cheltenham Animal Shelter (CAS) looks after and rehomes more than 600 unwanted and abandoned cats, dogs and small animals every year, at a cost of around £650,000.

Receiving no government funding, the shelter relies on donations from the public and the generosity of local businesses and grant-making trusts.

Pete Newcombe, centre manager, said: "We are extremely pleased that such a well-known and respected local law firm as Willans have chosen us to be their charity of the year. We very much look forward to working with them to raise awareness of the work of our charity in rehabilitating and rehoming cats, dogs and small animals and promoting pet welfare within the local community.

"We are also are excited about the potential fundraising initiatives that we can run together, to help cover the substantial costs of looking after and caring for all of our rescue animals."

The team of around 80 staff at Willans LLP is busy planning a calendar of activities, ranging from the 'Purrfect Will' make a will campaign to online fundraising ideas and, as the pandemic restrictions ease, large fundraising events such as its popular bowling competition. In addition to raising funds, staff will also support the animal charity with volunteering.

Bridget Redmond, managing partner at Willans, said: "We're very excited about our new charity partnership with GAWA, who run Cheltenham Animal Shelter.

"The charity sector has been very badly affected by Covid-19 and there are many excellent causes in need of support. Our staff voted and CAS was the clear winner. Covid-19 means we'll need to be more innovative with our fundraising ideas this year - so watch this space!

"We look forward to sharing our fundraising stories over the coming months, and will keep you updated on ways in which you can get involved to support our efforts to raise as much as possible for this great, local charity."