

Christmas comes early for women's charity thanks to Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell (Incorporating Alexander Harris) has donated £500 to Newcastle Women's Aid.
Christmas has come a little earlier this year for a Newcastle women's charity thanks to the kind-hearted generosity of a firm of leading personal injury lawyers.
Grey Street-based solicitors Irwin Mitchell (Incorporating Alexander Harris) has donated £500 to Newcastle Women's Aid.
The move comes as the charity seeks to boost its fund raising efforts in the run up to Christmas - traditionally one of its busiest times of the year and a time when there are many calls on its resources.
This year it will be relying more than ever on the support of charitable donations to improve its services and the help it provides.
Irwin Mitchell's donation will be used to provide extra care and support for local women and children seeking refuge from domestic violence.
Established in 1974, Women's Aid is the national domestic violence charity that helps over 320,000 women and children every year.
The charity aims to end domestic violence, co-ordinating and supporting over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the country.
Helen Ward, who sits on Irwin Mitchell's fundraising committee, said: "This money was raised by individual donations by Irwin Mitchell staff.
"Women's Aid does very important work and I hope that the charity will welcome this donation, particularly at this time of year."