A KENDAL estate agent is urging local businesses to get behind its new fundraising scheme to help locally based charities.

Starting in 2015 Scott Bainbridge Sales & Lettings is proposing to donate 10 per cent of any fee generated from selling properties to a local charity.

Principal Iain Bainbridge said he hoped other companies would support the scheme by adopting a similar arrangement.

“After three years of long hours and hard work we are hopeful that 2015 will see the agency move into profitability so I believe this is the time to think about such a scheme,” Mr Bainbridge said.

“In these austere times charities are struggling and if there are charities you want to see surviving and thrive, it’s about doing something creative to help.

“My view is that if local people support my business and make it profitable, I want to make sure the business contributes to the local community.

“This is not a marketing ploy, and I do not want Scott Bainbridge to be the only business doing it – I hope it is something that will really take off.”

Mr Bainbridge’s main focus is charities who help people with serious, life-limiting conditions, and St. John’s Hospice have already become involved.

Other charities, including mountain rescue teams, could also benefit.