International law firm Conyers Dill & Pearman (CD&P) yesterday made Christmas donations to local charities including The Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children, St. John's Ambulance Brigade and The Devonshire Parish Home.

In a gesture of seasonal charity, the staff of the law firm selected the charities to be the beneficiaries of this years "card money".

Many firms send out corporate Christmas cards and host lavish functions for clients and friends at this time of the year but head of marketing at CD&P Ross Webber said: "Occasionally recipients of mass pre-produced, corporate Christmas cards question whether the expense of this could not be more beneficially distributed.

`'We discussed this at our firm and decided to let the staff chose how this money should be spent. We did this last year and the Sunshine League was the recipient. This year, the staff votes were tallied and the funds allocated on the basis of the staff's suggestions. The Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children emerged as the main charity of choice for the season's donation, with many selections also for the Devonshire Parish Home and St. John's Ambulance Brigade."

Ray Latter, Chairman of the Committee of 25 said: "We are delighted that the staff of Conyers Dill & Pearman recognise our perpetual need for financial support and we gladly welcome this donation. Our work is ongoing and this will help with our programmes for the coming year, but in particular it will help bring a little extra Christmas cheer to our organisation and all those that we assist."

Donna Summers from the St. John's Ambulance Brigade said: "We are aware that Conyers Dill & Pearman are keen supporters of sport on the island and it is with donations such as this that we are able to continue serving the Island. This gesture is gratefully appreciated and will be spent wisely. We hope other corporations on the island follow the lead of CD&P and help us with similar donations."

Hewlett Simmons, assistant matron of the Devonshire Parish Home commented "We are so grateful to CD&P for considering us in their charitable efforts. Our Home needs all the financial assistance we can get and we are very happy that we were selected by many members of their staff to receive some funds. We wish everyone in Bermuda a Merry Christmas and a special holiday season to all those at CD&P.

"Whilst we certainly do not subscribe to the "bah humbug" approach to Christmas - those who attended our staff Christmas party will testify to that - we feel that our resources are best used serving our clients and the community.

`'At CD&P we still encourage our employees to personally send season's greetings to their clients and friends, if they deem it appropriate. Bermuda is a culturally diverse nation and Conyers Dill & Pearman has clients all over the world. At this time of year we like to extend seasons greetings to those of all religions.

`'Although some clients and friends may not receive a card from the firm this year, or wonder why we do not have Christmas cocktails, we certainly hope they will appreciate and understand our alternative gesture."