Essex charities are now £500 better off since Braintree-based legal services company Shergroup donated the cash to Braintree District Council’s Chairman Lady Patricia Newton.

She received the cash on behalf of the Chairman’s charities at a client open day held by Shergroup, which specialises in High Court enforcement, at its Freeport offices, where she also urged visiting firms to think about Braintree as a place to do business. Now the cash will go towards Halstead Day Centre, Rethink, Braintree Carers Support Group and Home-Start (based in Witham)

Shergroup invited over 30 of its nationwide clients to a seminar showcasing the work of the group in the enforcement arena. Claire Sandbrook, Chief Executive of the firm, said: “With Shergroup in Essex, we would like to put Braintree on the map as a centre for enforcement to recover money and land without the need to use expensive advisors.”

She added: “Lady Newton is a great asset to the Braintree District and her visit was important as she was able to promote the district and its strong transport links.”

Lady Newton said: “Ensuring our corporate visitors know what there is to offer is important to Braintree District – they could be the employers of the future in the area. But it was an added bonus to receive money for the chairman’s charities and I want to thank Shergroup for their generous donation.”