Councillor Terry Matthews, the Mayor of Southampton, will be celebrating the work of charities in Southampton as he welcomes charities and local businesses to his parlour for a reception hosted on behalf of the Rotary Club Southampton.

The Rotary Club will be presenting cheques to the Mayor’s chosen charities, the Gift of Sight Appeal and Alzheimer’s Research Trust, as well as to Scott McDermott, Vice Chair of the Countess Mountbatten Hospice.

Nick Vaughan, former Rotary President, who is also the Senior Partner of Paris Smith Solicitors said: “Supporting the charitable sector and the vital work that they do is an important part of our business ethos and playing an active part in the Rotary Club means that we can make a contribution in real terms to the sustainability of the wider community in which we function in order to create better lives for those people who are less advantaged.

"The Rotary Club is really pleased to be making donations to such a wide range of causes during Christmas and at a time when the focus has got to be on those people in need or who are suffering hardship.

"The charities that will benefit all do incredibly good work in our region.”

The event, on Thursday December 8 starts, at 5.30pm with a welcome from the Mayor followed by speeches from the current President of the Rotary Club, Meg Ryves, outlining the work that they do along with Scott McDermott providing an insight into the Hospice and how charitable donations make a significant difference to the people who tragically find themselves in need of their services.

The reception will provide an opportunity for businesses and charities to network.

Anyone wishing to attend can secure a place by contacting Nick Vaughan at Paris Smith on 023 804 82482.