Ashgates, an accountancy and advisory firm situated in Derby’s Pride Park, has raised close to £1,500 ($2,031) for its charity partner, the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association UK (PWSA).

The firm, which has a workforce of 90, announced its collaboration with PWSA earlier in 2025.

In a significant fundraising effort, over 40 professionals from the finance and professional services sector in the East Midlands participated in a padel tournament held at We Are Padel.

Teams from Barclays, Gateley, NatWest, Rothera Bray, and Handelsbanken competed for the inaugural trophy, with Stanton Environmental ultimately winning the title in a competitive final against the hosts.

Bethany Walker, an audit and business services assistant at Ashgates, proposed PWSA as the charity partner for personal reasons, as her sister Izzy is affected by the rare genetic condition that leads to an uncontrollable urge to eat, along with associated learning and physical disabilities.

Ashgates director Steve Martin said: “PWSA do amazing work, providing a dedicated helpline, information hub, peer support groups and community events for the 2000 people who live with this syndrome in the UK.

“As well as raising vital funds for research and other activities, it importantly raises awareness, so more people understand what is involved and what people have to live with.

“Everyone is talking about Padel and we’ve been asked by a few stakeholders and clients for a game. I couldn’t think of a better way of rising to the challenge then putting on a competition at nearby We Are Padel and raising lots of money for a great charity.”

Established in 1991, Ashgates provides a variety of accountancy and business advisory services, along with independent financial advisory and managed IT support.

The firm, which became part of the DJH accountancy and professional services group last year, is looking to enhance its presence in the East Midlands and plans to organise further social events in the coming year.

Karen Wilkinson from PWSA said: “We are most grateful to Ashgates and DJH for their fundraising event on behalf of the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association UK.

“The padel tournament was a great way for professionals to relax and do battle on the court, whilst raising much-needed awareness of the condition, a condition that affects more than 2000 people in the UK.

“We’ve achieved so much, but this is just the start. The funding will go into the next steps, which include more age-appropriate support and social activities for adults with PWSA, expanding our information hub and training more professionals in helping people to live with the syndrome.”