LAUNCESTON-based chartered accountants and business advisors, Hodgsons, have announced that they’ve raised £1,687 for Cots for Tots, a charity that provides housing and support to those families who have a sick or premature baby at Bristol’s Special Care Baby Unit at St Michael’s Hospital.

In 2015, Lucy Williams, the company’s receptionist at Launceston, was thrilled to learn that she and her partner Allan were expecting their first child.

Unfortunately, there were complications because baby Sophie was diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic left-sided hernia and needed immediate and constant medical care during and after her birth.

Lucy, Allan and their immediate family were supported brilliantly by Cots for Tots which included providing housing so that they could stay at Sophie’s side for the duration of her stay.

Sophie is now doing fantastically well, looking forward to all the things little girls should be. This would not have been possible without the support of doctors and nurses who cared for her and also the additional support, given at a very difficult time by the charity.

A Hodgsons spokesperson said: “At Hodgsons we aim to support at least one charity a year, this year we are supporting HeartSWell South West Ltd, a similar organisation to Cots for Tots, but this time providing support to those suffering from heart conditions. One way this is done is to provide accommodation for those undergoing heart operations at Derriford Hospital.

“This year we’re also supporting Helford River Children’s Sailing Trust, a charity that provides training for children and young people in sailing and other activities to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities to grow up to be confident individuals and members of their community.”