#100ActsOfKindness HALLAM FM #MissionChristmas collection point
D&H have volunteered to be a collection point for #MissionChristmas in Doncaster. New unwrapped Toys & Gifts welcome
Dobson and Hodge fundraising at Walk the Night 2019
The #100ActsOfKindness is now underway however, ever ones to plan ahead, 4 of the Dobson and Hodge team have committed to walking a combined 100+ miles at the Walk The Night event in support of the Coppafeel! (Breast) and Prostate Cancer UK Charities.
The event is an overnight, marathon distance, walk around London and the team are looking to raise around £1,000+ towards these good causes.
More news as things progress but if you wish to support the team from Dobson and Hodge, donations can be made at the teams various Just Giving pages – Paul, Andrew, David and Ailsa.
Dobson and Hodge Ltd #100ActsOfKindness
In 1920, Do
bson and Hodge first formed as a Business and in anticipation of our 100 year anniversary the Company is embarking on an ambitious ‘100 Acts Of Kindness’ campaign where, over the coming year or so, we will look to support charities, local endeavours and other community projects towards meeting their own objectives.
Whether it be us committing our time (and multiple pairs of hands) to local projects, simply doing a good turn or fund raising for charities – we will be looking to go beyond doing what we already do and reach out to do even more to help make a difference.
If you are a local charity or project and would benefit from our support please let us know – over the coming months we’ll need ideas as to how we can turn our enthusiasm and commitment into making a real difference for our local community.
In the meantime, we’ll begin to highlight our activities and help raise awareness of the good work going on in and around Doncaster – we also hope that others will join us in supporting the various initiatives to make that difference even bigger!
Pension and investment scams
In their own blog, The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has set out some food for thought with regard to the ban on pension cold calling (and the scams which are associated).
Such issues were well publicised in recent months with the ‘Jetski ScamSmart advert’ from the Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warning how your pension could end up funding the lavish lifestyle of someone else.
Key points from TPR’s blog are that “The arrival of the ban should bring clarity for consumers that if the phone rings and the caller asks unsolicited questions about their pension, it is an attempt to steal their savings” (and) “if they are in any doubt whatsoever, they should simply hang up”.
Wise words!
There are other resources to which they refer – fca.org.uk/scamsmart for example will give guidance, warning signs of scams as well as detail on how you can check on the authenticity of schemes.
Where an enquiry raises concerns, contact can be made with Action Fraud on 0300 1232040 or via www.actionfraud.police.uk
Scammers don’t come with a siren nor do they explain what they are doing is fraudulent. What they offer will seem very logical and feasible but may involve weird and wonderful investments (with very feasible reasons why they are a good idea), moving the funds offshore or potentially needing to set up a business so that a specialist pension can be arranged.
As they say, “Buyer Beware”.
Ultimately, no cold calls should now arise (however there are many who say the ban doesn’t go far enough).
If, however, you unexpectedly receive a call about your pension (or any other investment for that matter), seeking a second opinion whilst also using the above resources should ensure that any traps are unsuccessful and you keep hold of the funds you’ve spent time saving.
Article written by Paul Stocks (@paul_stocks_ifa), Financial Services Director and Independent Financial Adviser
Ailsa’s fundraising for Eve’s Trust
Dobson and Hodge’s Associate Director Ailsa Watson started the #516Challenge on 1st January 2018 which saw her aiming to run 1016 miles throughout 2018 with her intention being to raise funds for the Eve Merton Dreams Trust – www.evestrust.co.uk
Ailsa explains that “Eve’s Trust are a fantastic Doncaster based charity who fund ‘Dreams’ for children suffering from various forms of cancer. The reason I wanted to help this particular charity is because they provide a little window of happiness for the children that they help, and their family, in what must be a particular stressful and traumatic time in their young lives”.
Early in the year things went well but holidays and injuries meant she fell a little behind target! Undeterred, she slogged it out and whilst needing to run 40 miles each week for the last 3 weeks of the year (39 miles in the last 5 days!) she reached her goal on New Year’s Eve – even managing to run one extra mile for the Queen! Her efforts also saw her competing in the Harewood House and Hull Half Marathons along with the Great North Run.
As at 9th January 2019 she has hit her fundraising target of £1000 (which pays for 2 ‘Dreams’) however she is now closing in on raising £1,500 which would provide for 3 dreams – something she says would be “just fantastic!”
Ailsa goes on to say that “People have been extremely kind and generous which I am very grateful for – I had the easy bit of just keeping on running. I am now currently looking at different ways that we can continue to support this charity so watch out for further updates!”
Well done to Ailsa from all at Dobson and Hodge for her determined effort throughout 2018.
If you would like to donate to the Eve’s Trust through Ailsa’s sponsorship page, you can do so at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ailsawatson2
