A HAMPSHIRE law firm well known for its owl mascot has taken a medical charity under its wing for another year.

Over the next 12 months Eric Robinson will sponsor Wessex Heartbeat’s annual golf day at Remedy Oak and rugby lunch at Southampton’s Novotel, and its private client solicitors will lend their expertise to the charity as part of Wills Month.

The firm, which has 10 offices across Hampshire, Berkshire and London, will also support other events and run its own fundraising schemes throughout the year.

Last year the company raised £50,000 for Wessex Heartbeat – almost enough to fund the charity’s Heartbeat House for an entire year.

Catherine Maxfield from Eric Robinson, said: “Sadly heart disease affects far too many people across the area we operate in and we’re determined to take action to change that. As well as working to raise funds for the charity’s Heartbeat House and projects at Southampton General Hospital, we’re also keen to collaborate on schemes that improve the heart health of people across the south.

“We were so proud to have raised the most money out of all Wessex Heartbeat’s sponsors last year, especially on the charity’s 25th anniversary. We are delighted to work with Wessex Heartbeat again this year and to continue to have them as the firm’s chosen charity.”

John Munro, chief executive of Wessex Heartbeat, said: “As a charity that receives no regular government funding we rely on the kind nature of local people and businesses to help us fund our life-saving work. We are absolutely thrilled that Eric Robinson has chosen to work with us again, and we know the money it raises will make a huge difference to patients and their families.”

Wessex Heartbeat supports the Wessex Cardiac Centre at Southampton General Hospital, as well as the patients who use it and their families. The charity was set up in 1992 and has since raised more than £16million.

Among the major projects it supports is Heartbeat House, the children’s Ocean Ward and the Heartbeat Education Centre, as well as regular funding of leading-edge equipment, clinical education and research.