A LAW firm has raised £19,500 to help prevent youth homelessness in the York area.

The money raised by Coles Solicitors for the charity SASH will fund more than 1,000 nights of emergency accommodation for young people with nowhere safe to stay.

Managing director Peter Gibson said: "We’ve done a variety of things to raise the money. We held a virtual ball, where people stayed at home and instead of paying for babysitters, taxis, having their hair done and buying a new outfit, they made a donation to SASH.

"We also had some redundant balances from clients that we have been unable to trace, so they have been donated over the course of the year.

"We’ve had a collection tin on the office counter at each of our 10 offices and whenever a client instructed us to do a piece of work, we invited them to make a donation, which was doubled by us.”

Ruth Fawcett, of SASH, said: "The impressive amount that Coles has raised will make a significant contribution to our income this year."