Old school sport sees Carson McDowell raise £10k for Belfast Samaritans.

Staff and clients from Carson McDowell have raised £10,000 for their charity partner, Samaritans Belfast, following several activities, including a retro-styled sports day event in June at CIYMS Rugby Club.

The retro sports day saw 120 people from 18 client teams participate in traditional school sports, including the egg and spoon, three-legged and sack races. After a very competitive competition, six finalist teams competed in a 100m sprint to secure third, second and first place on the leader board, with Osborne King crowned Carson McDowell Retro Sports Day Champions 2022.

A library of photos from the event is available to view here.

Catherine Carton, Partner and Chair of the firm's CSR Committee, commented: "I am really pleased with the turnout and generosity of our clients. The event was a great success in raising much-needed funds for the fantastic work that Samaritans Belfast do and in bringing people together for some old-school sporting fun!"

After the sports day, guests enjoyed burritos, ice cream and entertainment from Belfast singers, the Songbirds. This was followed by a charity raffle with fantastic prizes kindly donated by STATSports, Clear Group, Grand Opera House, The SHS Group, MediCare Pharmacy Group, Turkington and Matchetts Music, with the evening closing with a retro sports quiz.

Catherine added, "We are overwhelmed by the generosity shown in helping us raise this superb total for Samaritans, Belfast. I want to thank all those clients who participated in our event or kindly donated funds or raffle prizes."

Samaritans Belfast is a charity that works day and night to listen to anyone struggling to cope. The funds raised from this event and other fundraising events, which Carson McDowell will conduct throughout the remainder of the year, will go to the charity to support their volunteers who answer calls for help from people feeling distressed for many different reasons, including those experiencing suicidal feelings.

If you are feeling isolated, distressed, anxious, depressed or suicidal, you can contact Samaritans free at any time from any phone on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.