• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Wednesday September 9 2026

Southby & Co plan a September of fundraising

Wroughton-based financial advisers Southby & Co are taking on their next fundraising challenge by running Swindon’s Half Marathon for child bereavement charity, Wiltshire Treehouse.

At the start of 2026, 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.

They kicked off the month with a sponsored 26-mile walking challenge from Stonehenge to Avebury on Friday, September 4.

And at the end of the month CEO and founder Dave Southby and financial adviser, Jenny Ashfield will run Swindon’s Half Marathon.

“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, September 27 through the town and its surrounding countryside.

“I’ve never been involved in a half marathon,” said Dave. “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, visit: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/southby-co-s-summer-of-fundraising