ABD Wolves are ready for The Wolf Run Challenge

Boot camp training has been well underway here at ABD... Led by Practice Manager David Turley, the 17-strong  team of runners, the "ABD Wolves" have been readying themselves since January for the 10K Wolf Run.

Taking place in ancient woodland trails and deep water crossings in Warwickshire, there will be high climbing nets, log walls and the famously fast landslide! Made up of both man-made and natural obstacles, the ABD Wolves will have to run, climb, jump, wade, crawl and swim through the course which is designed to challenge mental and physical strength and skill.

We are delighted to again be raising funds for the fantastic Starlight Children's Foundation who support seriously and terminally ill children all over the country during their time in hospital and hospices. We would love to raise as much money as possible for them, so please head to our SPONSORSHIP page and give what you can to hep this incredibly worthy cause. 

For some further details about the Starlight charity please read on:

Starlight aim to distract children from the pain, fear and isolation they may feel during their time in hospitals and hospices through support, boost boxes full of toys and games to distract them, and organised hospital pantomimes and plays. 

Starlight say that a little fun and distraction can go a long way and help brighten even the darkest days.

ABD announced as WiRE sponsors for 2019

As well as announcing that Awdry Bailey & Douglas are new sponsors of the WiRE  Wiltshire (Women in Rural Enterprise) group for 2019, Rachel Fereday and Georgina Catlin from ABD recently hosted a legal clinic for WiRE members covering aspects of Family, Employment and Commercial Law in order to provide members with a general overview of important considerations for business owners. 

Head of Employment, Rachel Fereday, also presented an Employment Law talk on 'What you need to know about taking on staff'.

WiRE is a national business support network; promoting, supporting and developing its membership of rural businesswomen. Grown from an academic research project based in Shropshire, WiRE is now a national membership organisation, widely recognised as a dynamic and positive force within the economy of rural areas and as the voice of rural women’s enterprise in the UK.

For further information about WiRE and their members please read our profile http://www.wireuk.org/members/georgina-catlin/

For more information on any Employment Law matter; please contact Rachel Fereday on 01380 722311, or for information on any Family Law matter; please contact Georgina Catlin on 01793 853200.

Greatwood Charity Race Day 2019

Head of Conveyancing at Awdry Bailey & Douglas, Ronna Turley, had the pleasure of hosting a 'Ladies Day' at last weekends 2019 Greatwood Race Day held at Newbury Racecourse. 

Greatwood is ABD's local charity of the year  for 2018/19. It is a Marlborough based charity that, via equine facilitated learning, uses rescued and rehabilitated former racehorses to help educate disadvantaged children and young people with Special Educational Needs.

Winnings!

Ronna hosted two tables in the hospitality suite inviting a selection of property contacts and clients.

ABD sponsored the Greatwood Novices' Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 4)(0-120) over 2 miles ½ furlong and also had the honour of gifting a £50 cash prize to the winner of the Best Turned Out Horse Award and a bottle of champagne to the Winning Owner, Trainer and Jockey.

Ronna Turley, Kathryn Roker and Rebecca Vassie awarding prizes to the winning owner, trainer and jockey of the ABD sponsored race.

The horse voted by the ladies as “best groomed horse” for the ABD sponsored race

A great day was had by all, with, we believe in excess of £20,000 being raised on the day.

Some of the ladies in the Royal Box after watching "The ABD Supporting Greatwood Novices' Handicap Hurdle Race" from there

Mac's Theatre School - The Addams Family

Awdry Baily & Douglas had the opportunity to sponsor a page in the programme for the latest Mac's Theatre School production - The Addams Family musical. 

The Devizes youth theatre aims to create and produce theatre that excites, entertains and inspires. Giving young people a real chance to shine, they produce work which truly wows.

The high standard of music, dance and drama that we saw on the evening was truly impressive, with all of the performances being superb. A real hightlight was all 85 members of the cast being on stage together at the same time! 

Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) urges Wiltshire residents to check eligibility for LPA refund

Heather Wannell Head of Private Client at Awdry Bailey & Douglas is urging people to check their eligibility for a lasting power of attorney (LPA) fee refund, after almost two million people were overcharged by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) between 2013 and 2017. Claimants can expect to receive a refund of up to £54, with any accrued interested since the registration was made.

So far, only 200,000 of the 1.8million people owed have claimed their refund, meaning that there’s £77million still owed to customers.

To apply for a refund visit: http://gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund. The exact amount will depend on when the registration was made, and claims must be made by 1^st February 2021.

An LPA is an important document that gives a loved one the power to make decisions on your behalf when you can no longer do so. There are two types of LPA: a health and welfare LPA, and a property and financial affairs LPA.

Recent research from SFE found that there are only 7% of LPAs in place across the UK, meaning that millions of people are currently unprepared for later life. SFE urges anyone planning for their future to consider setting up an LPA and seek advice from a specialist lawyer.

Lakshmi Turner, Chief Executive of SFE, said: 

“Whilst it’s comforting to know that people are making provisions by putting in place LPAs, millions of families, many of whom may have been going through a tough time with elderly relatives, will have been needlessly overcharged.

“It’s good to see the OPG addressing the error, and with the deadline for applications approaching, we’re urging people to check their eligibility for a refund soon.”

Heather said:

“It takes about ten minutes to claim online. You’ll need the donor’s bank details and a copy of the LPA, if you have it. If you need help or more information about making a claim, there’s a Refunds Helpline you can contact, either via telephone on 0300 456 0300 or email poarefunds@justice.gsi.gov.uk.” 

For more information on Awdry Bailey & Douglas or SFE, please contact Heather Wannell on 01793 853200.