A health and safety training firm has chosen children's hospice Julia's House as its first charity of the year.

Steven Gill, principal of The Training Fox, which supports Wiltshire employers and staff as well as compaies around the country, said, “We really wanted to support Julia’s House with the business.

We’re not sure how much we’ll raise, but we’ve set ourselves a target of £2,000.”

The hospice, which has a base in Devizes, provides vital respite and clinical care for the most seriously ill children and their families around Wiltshire and Dorset in its hospices and in families’ homes.

“I think it’s amazing how their nurses and carers support families through the most heart-wrenching times,” said Steven.

“Going to the hospice building in Devizes, you do expect there to be a feeling of sadness. But when you walk in, it’s just the most welcoming and warm place for children, and for their siblings and parents too.”

Now in its eighth year, The Training Fox is also a Sponsor of the Swindon Wildcats.

Steven, who lives in Cirencester, said, “As one of our first fundraising activities for Julia’s House, I’m planning to take on a sponsored 20-mile walk across Wiltshire with Swindon Wildcats player Reed Sayers.”

As well as promoting the work of the charity on social media, The Training Fox has plans for more fundraising activities throughout the year, including taking part in The Big Dog Art Trail, hosted by Julia’s House in Swindon this summer.

Jo Common, Julia’s House Corporate Fundraiser, said, “We’re so pleased that The Training Fox has chosen Julia’s House as their first-ever charity of the year.

" As a charity, we’re almost entirely reliant on donations to provide our lifeline of care for families of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. We couldn’t be there for local families without the help of our supporters, so we’d like to say a huge thank you to Steven and The Training Fox.”

Find out more and make a donation at www.thetrainingfox.co.uk