A Bridport charity had a welcome Christmas surprise of a £500 donation thanks to a local solicitor firm.

Bridport Young Persons' Action Trust has been included in Porter Dodson's Charity of the Year programme, in which charities are chosen for the company to raise money for.

Richard Baker, partner and head of Porter Dodson's family team, said: "Being able to reach out into the community at these challenging times means a lot to the firm and we are delighted to support those in need over the festive season.

"Many of the beneficiaries have been nominated by staff and are part of our Charity of the Year programme. Others target specific needs this Christmas, helping ensure that no one goes without over the holidays and we are pleased to be able to support all their hard work."

Rob Fox, managing partner, added: "Our staff are very involved in our Charity of the Year programme, supporting it with dress down days, bake sales, bike rides and so forth.

"Their capacity to fundraise has been greatly limited over the last 18 months so the partners are delighted to support their efforts with these additional donations."

Now in its 28th year, BYPAT was created in 1993 following an incident of drug-related violence that shook the community when a young man was almost beaten to death in Plottingham Playing Fields.

In subsequent years, and whilst always prioritising support for individual young people in need, BYPAT has worked in partnership with others to create a number of successful projects, including the Japanese Exchange Programme, Bandits Motor Project, ZEST! Music Project, Bridport's first youth council, the creation of Plottingham skate park and the West Bay play area, ASPIRE supporting young people with mental health issues and, most recently, Branden's Trail at Bridport Primary School.

A spokesman for BYPAT said: "It was a lovely surprise to hear from Porter Dodson of its thoughtful and generous gesture, and extremely encouraging to have the work of such a small local charity recognised in this way."

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