Release date: May 2007

Close Thornton has joined the Tees Valley Professional Services Group, a charitable group which assists community based, not for profit organisations who are working for the social or economic regeneration of their local area.

Close Thornton joins the over 160 other members to bring much needed support and expert advice to local community organisations. For example, the group offers support and advice on:

• accounting and management systems;
• the structural condition of properties;
• how to obtain charitable status and the design or alteration of their building;
• preparing a business plan or marketing strategy; or
• raising income to sustain longer term survival.

The PSG does not distribute money; rather it allocates the time of the professional member to meet the needs of the Voluntary or Community Group. It does this by matching their development needs with the skill and expertise offered by its members.

During 2005-2006 PSG members invested over £70,000 worth of their time directly to the local organisations.

David Hogg, a partner at Close Thornton, says 'I am proud to be part of this worthwhile group. At Close Thornton we believe in giving something back to the community in which we work and we know that our help with make a real difference to some of these local projects".

For more information about the Teesside Professional Services Group, visit www.teesvalleypsg.org.uk or contact David Hogg david.hogg@close-thornton.co.uk

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