Leading law firm Blake Morgan has pledged its commitment to helping a charity as the world comes together to raise awareness about mental health.

The Oxford office of Blake Morgan is pulling out all the stops to fundraise for Restore, an Oxfordshire-based mental health charity that works with around 1,000 people every year with moderate to severe mental illness.

The firm had already raised almost £4,000 for the charity – with many more money-spinners on the way.

World Mental Health Day takes place on October 10 every year and this year the theme is psychological first aid.

Over the past two years Restore has been helped by Louise Lewis, a Succession and Tax solicitor in the Oxford office, who is a charity trustee and is tasked with growing its legacy income.

This year the Blake Morgan team threw its full weight behind the charity after being bowled over by an inspiring and moving presentation.

Restore’s CEO Martin Realey spoke to staff about his own struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder following discharge from the army and the benefits of working with an organisation like Restore.

Nine charities were nominated as potential charities for the Oxford office to support and staff voted overwhelmingly for Restore.

Now the nominated charity for the next two years, the office has so far raised £3,928 through a team skydive and a bake sale.

The office is aiming to raise £10,000 over two years and a Halloween bake sale, curry and quiz night, and team bike ride are planned over the next six weeks.

Louise said: “Restore is a very worthy cause for Blake Morgan to be supporting and we are so pleased that the fundraising has got off to a flying start.

“Restore runs recovery and coaching services to help people to recover from their illness and go on to find work.

“Once service users are ready, they can gain vital work experience, working in one of Restore's two cafes, growing produce to sell, as well as woodwork and crafts.

“In 2015 the charity diversified and is now offering training to corporations on managing mental health in the workplace.

“As a firm that provides specialist advice in the mental health sector, we are proud to be supporting this charity and hope the money we raise will make a real difference.”

Meanwhile, tying in with the theme of World Mental Health Day, Blake Morgan has pledged its commitment to managing mental health in the workplace.

HR Officers Kathryn Seaward and Jo Godwin received training from Restore and are now both qualified Mental Health First Aiders.

They will be acting as Mental Health Champions for the firm.

Kathryn said: “We are creating a self-service, interactive online training resource for managers and staff to access information and training materials relating to mental health and overall well-being. We would like to raise the profile of mental health within the firm and ensure managers are equipped to support staff with mental ill-health.

“During our training, both Jo and I were struck by the struggles faced by people suffering from mental ill-health and the lack of awareness around such issues.”

More information about the charity is available at www.restore.org.uk