More than 100 property professionals came together for Essex Soup, an evening of business networking hosted by Chelmsford law firm Birketts LLP.

The event was held to raise awareness of the vital work being carried out by voluntary and community organisations in Essex.

Essex Soup was organised by Birketts’ property team in Chelmsford, in conjunction with the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), who brought to the event four inspirational charities with local community projects all needing support.

Birketts’ guests then voted to decide how the funds raised from the event, including a donation from the Birketts Charitable Fund, managed by ECF, should be shared between the charities.

As a result, over £7,000 was distributed between Families InFocus (Essex), Headway Essex, Beacon House Ministries and SEEAFOP (South Essex Advocacy for Older People).

Jonathan Agar, chief executive of Birketts, said: “We are delighted that the Essex Soup was such a success. Our charitable fund with ECF enables us to distribute money annually and engage our staff in deciding where the money goes.

"The Essex Soup event gave us the opportunity to share our experience with other businesses and encourage them to consider working in the same way.”

Grace Kerr, head of property at Birketts’ Chelmsford office, whose team brought the idea to fruition, said: "We are grateful for all the support we have had from the local property community for the Essex Soup event.

"It has been very rewarding to engage with local property professionals and to raise such significant funds for these charities.”

Lisa Renton, development director at ECF, said: “The event was a great opportunity to give people from businesses across the county an insight into the vital work being carried out by local charities.

"ECF has been supporting the voluntary sector for almost 20 years, through the funds we manage for individuals and businesses.

"Joining forces with Birketts for Essex Soup has given an extra dimension to the positive impact we have on the local community."

Dame Kate Barker, Trustee of ECF, was a guest at the event. She said, “I was delighted to join property professionals from across the county and beyond at the first mid-Essex Soup event.

"Businesses really care about the places around them and all attendees were very engaged to hear of the work of the charities.

"We appreciated more fully the needs around us and also realised just how dedicated so many volunteers are across Essex.”