Franks Accountants is mixing business with both pleasure and fundraising after pledging its support to a long-established Leeds animal charity on the first anniversary of its popular networking event, ‘Franks First Friday’.

The fast growing Wetherby-based accountancy firm is celebrating the milestone by supporting Hope Pastures, a charity which rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes horses, ponies and donkeys, following a social media competition to decide its chosen charity of the year.

‘Franks First Friday’, which takes place on the first Friday of the month at Bar Thr3, in Wetherby, is the brainchild of Adam Franks, owner of Franks Accountants, and offers business owners the opportunity to unwind and socialise in a relaxed environment.

As part of Franks Accountant’s ongoing support of Hope Pastures, Adam will donate £100 to the charity for every client win, which has already reached £400 this month, with the aim of donating £5,000 this year.

Mr Franks said: “Franks First Friday is a great way for business owners to unwind after a hard week of work, and I am delighted with the reception it has received in its first year.

“We are really pleased to mark the first anniversary of the social events with the announcement of Franks Accountant’s chosen charity for 2015. Hope Pastures is a fantastic charity, which does so much to support animals, and we are delighted to be supporting them in this way. In the final months of last year we managed to raise more than £2,000 for charity, and I would love to hit the £5,000 mark.”

Mr Franks added: “Since starting out in business last year, we have gone from strength to strength and I am hoping this period of growth will continue, which will further benefit what we’re trying to achieve as well as support Hope Pastures.”

Established in 1974, Hope Pastures is responsible for the physical and mental wellbeing of 30 horses, ponies and donkeys on its site, as well as more than 100 which it has helped re-home. Its centre acts as a community resource, which is open to the public everyday free of charge, and hosts a range of events and shows, as well as group visits.

Kim Pengelly, of Hope Pastures, said: “We are grateful to Franks Accountants for its generous support, which will be a massive help to our ongoing costs. We rely on public support and donations as we don’t receive any Government funding or grants, so it is a constant survival battle, and this support will go a long way in securing Hope Pastures future.”