A POOLE charity has received a boost in the form of support from a Bournemouth business.

Insurance broker Gallagher has chosen Forest Holme as its charity of the year following an internal vote by employees.

Based in the former Abbey Life building on Holdenhurst Road, the company has a UK-wide network of more than 70 offices and is headquartered in America. Its Bournemouth branch incorporates the group’s three locally based businesses – specialists block of flats broker Deacon, over 50s insurance provider Insure4Retirement and Deputy Bond Services.

The company, which has its own Social & Charity Committee, picks a different local charity to support each year from a list of nominations and Forest Holme was chosen as many employees have a personal connection to the Poole-based hospice.

Forest Holme provides end of life care and support to more than 1,000 people each year with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illnesses in Dorset. The hospice, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is part of Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and is supported by the charity, who need to raise at least £850,000 each year to help enhance the NHS provision at the hospice and in the community.

James Collins, managing director said: “Forest Holme has touched the lives and hearts of many of our employees within the three businesses, so it was a great pleasure that the hospice was not only nominated, but ultimately chosen this year.

“One of the main reasons that so many colleagues are proud to work for Gallagher is the culture. We actively encourage all employees to get involved in local fund-raising and volunteering activities that mean a lot to them personally and collectively. In addition to offering every team member three-days volunteering leave each year, the company also runs a ‘matched giving’ scheme, which helps to boost the money raised by matching the funds raised by our employees. We are very much looking forward to our continuing partnership with Forest Holme for the remainder of this year and hope to see the funds increase.”