Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire (CPWY) is teaming up with Pharmacist Support to help raise £175,000 ahead of the independent charity’s 175th anniversary.

The partnership between CPWY, who represent more than 530 community pharmacies, and the charitable institution aims to increase awareness of the free and confidential services available to pharmacists and pre-registration trainees.

Robbie Turner, CEO of CPWY, said: “Working with Pharmacist Support will not only contribute to the health and wellbeing of our pharmacy teams here in West Yorkshire, it will in turn deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients and the public.”

The CPWY is the local pharmaceutical council for West Yorkshire and is the voice for both independent pharmacies and those owned by bigger chains across the region.

CPWY committee member Sue Lee will be leading the fundraising activities.

She said: “This is the organisation’s first ever charity partnership and it is our aim to raise as much money as possible across the year for the profession’s charity.

“This is an important cause benefitting hundreds of our colleagues every year, and we hope that others will follow suit and join us in showing their support.”

Pharmacist Support chief executive, Diane Leicester-Hallam, said: “This is a fantastic collaboration for the charity, at what will be an exciting time for us.

“Next year Pharmacist Support celebrates its 175th anniversary and we look forward to working with the team at CPWY to mark this significant milestone.

“With their help we hope to reach our goal of raising £175,000 across the year - step one in our journey to secure our services for the benefit of future generations.”