Pictured: (l-r) Mark Weaver, Rider Levett Bucknall; Marcus Wilkins, Aedas; Paul Burgess, Focus Birmingham; Louise Brooke Smith, Brooke Smith Planning Esther Baston 1Voice and Richard Miles, 1Voice

Three local charities that support people living with mental and physical disability have been awarded funds raised at the recent Birmingham Charity Ball extravaganza.

The monies will be put towards buying a converted mini bus for Focus Birmingham which supports people with visual impairments and other disabilities, new sports equipment for 1Voice which helps reduce isolation and loneliness for children and adults with communication difficulties, and specially adapted sports wheelchairs for The Lord's Taverners, the official charity of recreational cricket. 

The autumn charity extravaganza was organised by a group of property and construction firms which included Rider Levett Bucknall, Aedas, Brooke Smith Planning, Savills and URS/Scott Wilson under the banner of Birmingham Unlimited.

Mark Weaver, managing partner for Rider Levett Bucknall confirmed that each charity has received almost £4,000 from the event that was the first of its kind to be held at the newly refurbished Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Marcus Wilkins, studio director at Aedas said: "This was an amazing networking event and moreover, it was a chance to give back and make a positive contribution to the lives of those who need it most in our region."

Louise Brooke-Smith, director of Brooke Smith Planning added: "Having visited Focus Birmingham facilities today I am once more humbled by the commitment and dedication of all three charities and proud to be part of the team that has helped make some small difference."

Event sponsors included main sponsor Willmott Dixon, plus support from Kier, Miller Construction, print and design group Sizzle, Thomas Vale Construction and Origin Retail Property Services.