Member Article

Buddy Bags for children affected by violence at home

Sydney Mitchell recently held its first Buddy Bag Brigade at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Solihull. Sydney Mitchell chose The Buddy Bag Foundation as one of their nominated charities for 2019 with the aim of helping children affected by violence at home; it really does pull at the heart strings.

A group of 25 volunteers from Sydney Mitchell and the Crowne Plaza Hotel packed almost 2500 items into 180 bags for the children at the Buddy Bag Brigade.

Each Buddy Bag packed by the team goes to local women’s and men’s refuges for the children, who are often not able to take any personal belongings with them, when they are removed from the family home after incidences of trauma in the home. The Buddy Bag gives a little bit of pleasure to a child when opening up the Buddy Bag to find new nightwear, underwear, some toiletries, a book, notepad, a cuddly toy and something to play with – at a time when they are often frightened and afraid.

Sarah Archer, Partner, Sydney Mitchell commented:

We were all deeply moved when Chris and Karen Williams of The Buddy Bag Foundation talked to us about the charity and the great work they do with women’s and men’s refuges in the region.

The thanks received from the children is heart-warming. We hope that our effort goes just a little way to give some warmth to the children when they arrive at the shelters. Just a few items can make a big difference at a hard time in their life.

All of our partners and staff gave a little love with every item packed and wish all those affected by trauma and tragedy in the home, safety and security during their times of need.

Chris Williams, Co-Founder of the Buddy Bag Foundation, said:

It’s not just the messages of thanks we receive from the children that makes our efforts so worthwhile but also the positive impact and the wonderful feeling that our volunteers get from being involved in a team building event with purpose. Thank you ‘Team Sydney Mitchell’ you’ve made a difference to 180 frightened children.

Nicola Corfield, Sales Manager, Crowne Plaza Solihull added:

We were really pleased to support Sydney Mitchell and the Buddy Bag Foundation on the day and to understand more about the work of this wonderful charity. It is important to all of the team at the Crowne Plaza Solihull that we are there to support our local community and charities.

Legal 500 Top Tier Law Firm Sydney Mitchell is an award winning Midlands based firm with specialist legal teams that include employment, commercial property, company and commercial services, litigation and insolvency. Private client teams include family law, residential property, dispute resolution, immigration and wills and probate, tax and trusts and personal injury. Sydney Mitchell LLP has been providing legal advice in the Midlands for over 250 years.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sydney Mitchell LLP .