A charity ball organised by Beviss & Beckingsale solicitors, has raised £8,453.72 for the Farming Community Network (FCN).

The ball was held at the Deer Park Country Hotel in Honiton, Devon on February 9 and the money was raised through a raffle and auction of promises. The auction alone raised just under £6,000. One of the auction prizes was a week-long Cornish cottage getaway, which sold for £1,900.

With British farming facing significant changes after Brexit, the money raised will go a long way in helping FCN support farmers prepare for farming life outside of the EU.

FCN has over 400 volunteers, who between them, take on approximately 2,500 cases every year. Approximately 40% of cases are located in the south west.

Mark Ollier, partner of Beviss and Beviss & Beckingsale said: “What was remarkable was the sense of camaraderie around the event – the farming community, many of whom know each other of course, and the charity - with all shades of interested parties in between, from vicars to accountants. I can honestly say it is one of the most successful events we have ever held both in terms of the atmosphere generated and the results themselves. Would we do it again? Absolutely.”

Charles Smith, chief executive of FCN, said: “We are so grateful the team at Beviss & Beckingsale for raising so much money and for putting on such a wonderful evening. It costs around £1,500 a day to run FCN and we rely on donations in order to continue providing practical and pastoral support to farmers and their families. We would like to offer our sincerest thanks to everyone who attended the ball and learnt more about the wonderful work of our volunteers.”