Member Article

Ward Hadaway team steps up to the challenge of Newcastle Legal Walk

Lawyers, support staff and family and friends joined together for the annual 10K North East Legal Walk on Tuesday, May 14th.

The event was organised by the North East Legal Support Trust, which helps the poorest and most vulnerable people in the UK gain access to free legal advice.

Paige Lewis, a trainee solicitor in Ward Hadaway’s Employment team helped recruit walkers from the firm.

She said: “I have been involved with the legal walk for the past two years. It is always a fun event to bring together lawyers from across Newcastle to raise money for a great charity.”

Ben Blatch-Hanlon, a trainee solicitor in the Housing team at Ward Hadaway took part in this year’s walk.

He said: “I got involved with the Legal Walk as it helps support a very worthy cause, helping to provide the most vulnerable in our society with access to justice which is often not available to them due to the lack of availability of free legal advice.”

John Hendry, a paralegal in the Public Sector team, added: “It’s terrific to take part in something so positive. I would definitely recommend it to others next year. We enjoyed an lovely evening walk while raising funds for charity.”

The event is one of a number of walks which run annually across England and Wales.

Chris Hugill, Ward Hadaway Consultant and Newcastle Law Society President, commented: “The Newcastle Legal Walk is a great event for all law firms with offices in the region whatever their size, specialisms and range of client to put aside any commercial rivalries and come together and give something back to the local communities they serve.

“Access to justice has become increasingly difficult for those with limited resources. Our lawyers in the region believe strongly that it is extremely important that they continue to help the most vulnerable in our communities have access to legal services to provide assistance with the important issues they may face whether that relates to their home, their family or even their liberty.”

Laura Cassidy, Fundraising and Development Manager for The Access to Justice Foundation, thanked all the walkers for their participation.

She said: “It was great to see over 200 members of the legal and advice sector come together to show their support for Access to Justice causes in the North East.

“Last year, the Newcastle Legal Walk raised around £6,500 for local legal advice services. This year, we hope to raise a record amount of £10,000 and help even more vulnerable people who are face legal problems such as employment, housing and domestic abuse.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ward Hadaway .