Following a company wide poll, Huddersfield-based Sheards Accountants has announced The Kirkwood as their Charity of the Year for 2021-22.

The Kirkwood provides specialist care, free of charge, to adults in Kirklees with advanced, progressive illnesses at any time from diagnosis to the end of life. Care and support is also provided for their family members, friends and carers. 

With a history spanning back to 1981, The Kirkwood, previously known as ‘Kirkwood Hospice’, offers a variety of services including a 24/7 advice line, support and therapy, community palliative care, in-patient care, family and spiritual care and complementary therapies. 

The partnership will see the team at Sheards undertake a variety of fundraising activities throughout the year including sponsoring the upcoming ‘It’s a knockout’ event. The knockout event is due to take place on Sunday September 12 at Oakwell Hall. More details of the event can be found here

This announcement follows successful fundraising for Huddersfield-based foodbank The Welcome Centre during which Sheards Accountants raised over £4,500 through events including staff bake offs, a Tough Mudder event and quiz nights, as their charity of the year. 

Kevin Winterburn, director of Sheards Accountants, said: “The Kirkwood has been such a huge part of the community for over 30 years and the organisation has helped so many people. We’re really looking forward to working together in 2021 and fundraising to support the fantastic work that the hospice does.”

Michael Crowther, chief executive with The Kirkwood said: “We are absolutely delighted to have become Sheards’ Charity of the Year. We’ve been honoured to receive fantastic support from the team at Sheards for many years, and this latest partnership is a real boost for our charity at what continues to be a challenging time for all of us.

“The Kirkwood was founded by a group of local people who believed everyone in our community deserved the very best care and support as they approached the end of their life.

“From the very start, we have relied on the support of local businesses like Sheards, who believe in the difference we make and are passionate about the impact their support can have.

“We’re truly grateful for Sheards’ support this year. By working together, I am sure we will make a big difference. I’d like to officially welcome them to The Kirkwood movement.”