SALISBURY businesses and business people will once again be donating thousands of pounds and providing hours of resources for city charities in 2015.

There is no current measure in place for the amount of value that companies provide for the charitable economy in the city, but the huge contribution can be seen by the activity.

Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce is working with their partners in the Salisbury Rotary Club in one of the early efforts of the year. A corporate Charity Gala Quiz is to take place at Salisbury Arts Centre on February 27. Funding includes sponsorship per round and teams of six will pay £120 to enter and this includes a fish and chips supper.

There will be less brain power and more muscle power needed when the Salisbury Swimathon takes place at the Godolphin School on April 4. Backed by the Salisbury Journal, this Rotary-organised event invites teams of four to eight to enter. It’s free to take part and takes just an hour of the entrants’ time, but an important part of the fundraising will again be through sponsorship.

A new event for the year is a Charity Golf Day at Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Club on April 14, where the cost of entering a team of four is £275 which includes breakfast, lunch, one round of golf and tee sponsorship.

In May, a team of local business people will be joining a hospital team in taking a trek in the Grand Canyon. Led by Spire FM’s Martin Starke, the sponsored hike will take place from May 2 to 10.

There will also be a ‘Track Day’ in May at Castle Combe, where individuals can race their own cars around the race track for a day at a cost of £200. A similar event will take place later in the year at Goodwood. A corporate Karting Day at Wessex Raceway is also planned for later in the year, where 12 teams of five will fight it out for the team trophy.

Then on September 5 and 6, the Contemporary Craft & Heritage Festival, pictured inset, will return to the West Lawn of Salisbury’s Cathedral Close with even more high quality UK craft makers exhibiting and selling under marquee as well as more workshops, talks, tours and trails for all the family.

Among the many beneficiaries will be the Stars Appeal Breast Unit, Children’s Chance, Parkinsons UK, Age UK Salisbury, Hope & Homes for Children and a variety of other charities.

Amanda Newbery, co-owner of the Chapel Nightclub, which often provides a free venue for charitable events, said: “The combined efforts of many of the city’s business people and businesses are tremendous.

Ms Newbery, who is also the chair person of Salisbury’s Business Improvement District, said: “Some of these things will obviously be fun for those involved, but the serious intent and effort that goes behind them is so impressive.

“The city has many business heroes.”

David Clayton, managing director of Bassets and founder of Salisbury’s Rotary & Chamber Community Group, said: “There are so many ways that businesses or individuals can get involved in supporting the local community.

“It isn’t always about raising money either so to find out how just two hours of your time each month can help improve the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves, please get in touch.”

For more information or a full list of the charitable and community events organised by Salisbury Chamber of Commerce and Salisbury Rotary Club, email david.clayton@bassets.co.uk.