Pictured above: Lodders charity committee members Rebecca Whitehouse, Lauren Johnstone, Sonia Kang and Jennie Patrick

Midlands law firm Lodders has launched a charity committee to optimise its corporate social responsibility commitment.

Senior partner David Lodder said so many staff were embarking on fund-raising initiatives it was thought best to have an umbrella body to co-ordinate and oversee efforts.

"I must applaud everyone for what they are doing to help deserving causes locally and others caught up in international calamities not of their making.

"We hope the new committee can offer a lead towards achieving even greater success. We want to avoid clashes as well as perhaps channel energies to where most can be achieved.

"I am very proud of our people and the lengths they are prepared to go to make a contribution."

The committee is composed of Rebecca Whitehouse, Lauren Johnstone, Sonia Kang and Jennie Patrick.

Lodders' main charity for this year is Warwickshire Association for the Blind.

It comes appropriately as the organisation, established in 1911 and based at 5 Charles Court, Budbrooke Road, Warwick, is about to celebrate its centenary.

Its mission is "to improve the lives of all blind and partially sighted people living in Warwickshire".

John Davis, manager, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that Lodders have nominated us as their charity of the year. We are very pleased to be associated with a firm of such repute."

WAB offers rehabilitation services to more than 1,000 people a year, has five drop-in centres and 14 clubs. It has 350 volunteers and helps 500 people a week.