Financial advisors putting in the miles for good cause

By Barrie Hudson - 2 September 2026

Charity
  • Jenny Ashfield and Dave Southby

    Jenny Ashfield and Dave Southby

Wroughton-based financial advisers will take on their next fundraising challenge by running Swindon’s Half Marathon in aid of child bereavement charity Wiltshire Treehouse.


At the start of the year, Southby & Co Financial Planning announced their charity of the year as Wiltshire Treehouse, and as part of their fundraising efforts the team are undertaking a ‘Summer of Fundraising’. 
September is their biggest undertaking, with the team kicking off the month with a sponsored 26-mile walking challenge from Stonehenge to Avebury on Friday 4 September, followed by CEO and founder, Dave Southby and financial adviser Jenny Ashfield running Swindon’s Half Marathon as an additional challenge at the end of the month.
“We decided to add a half marathon to our summer of fundraising as a challenge to push ourselves!” said Jenny, who ran the Bristol half marathon earlier this year, also for Wiltshire Treehouse.
“When I heard about our local half marathon, I knew we had to participate and after I suggested it, Dave volunteered to join me to make it more of a team event.”
Dave and Jenny will be among the predicted 2,000 runners who’ll take part in Swindon’s Half Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 27 September 2026 through the town and its surrounding countryside.
Dave said: “I’ve never been involved in a half marathon so this is an exciting new challenge for me and, hopefully, running together will make the race easier. 
"We’ve both been preparing by getting some training miles in and spending time on our feet - despite the heat!”
Wiltshire Treehouse provides free bereavement support to children, young people and families across Swindon and Wiltshire. 
The charity doesn’t receive regular financial support from the Government or local authorities, so they rely entirely in public donations.
Dave said: “We chose Wiltshire Treehouse because it aligned perfectly with what we stand for – they support local families and they have a direct impact in the wider Wiltshire community. 
"For us, it’s about raising money as well as bringing awareness for the incredible work this charity does.
"Swindon Half Marathon and our 26-mile walk are both great opportunities. They allow us to raise money and awareness directly for the community Wiltshire Treehouse supports.”
At the start of the year, the team pledged to raise a minimum of £3,000. So far, they’ve raised nearly £2,000 and are on track to meet their goal.
To support Dave and Jenny’s efforts, people can visit. https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/southby-co-s-summer-of-fundraising
Dave and his team work with individuals, families, and business owners across Swindon and Wiltshire, helping them manage their finances effectively and plan for the future. 
More information can be found at https://www.southbyfp.co.uk/
 

Your Comments

Be the first to comment on this article

Login or Register to post a comment on this article

Subscribe to The Link

Registered in England & Wales. No: 4513027, Positive Media Group, Old Bank House, 5 Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 4BJ