Paying it forward… or giving back to clients and our community
We’ve now been open for a busy four months. Unsurprisingly, setting up a new solicitors’ firm is hard work, and brings all sorts of surprises, and challenges!
But we have not forgotten that when we planned Boardman Hawkins & Osborne (BH&O), we wanted to do things a little differently, and not lose sight of what we all believe in, namely that we would support Charities, and raise funds and help in other practical ways those we know are in need.
So in the short space of time we have been open so far, what have we done?
We have decided to use one of our best resources, space. We have a loft and a cellar and not much in either. And we also know a number of clients who have no money and yet whose children need clothes & equipment, and toys and books. We want to keep a regular stock of essentials for clients, so that when they need something, we can help. It is a small way of making a big difference.
At Christmas we collected some toys and books for Abingdon Community Events, who asked for presents for over 140 children from vulnerable and low income families in the Abingdon area. They also wanted to ensure all of those children had a chocolate selection box. Well, that is speaking our language! We do love chocolate….so 144 selection boxes were ordered from Cadbury’s, as well as a selection of toys and books from our generous team!
We are also supporting Abingdon Carousel. Abingdon Carousel also started in September like we did! For the past few years, Abingdon has not had a children’s centre, having lost its two centres in the wave of county council cuts a few years ago. But Abingdon Carousel has now opened at the old South Abingdon Children Centre site. It has got off to a brilliant start and is open 5 days a week and is planning on opening on Saturdays soon too.
We also continue to support PACT a charity that means a lot to us.
Emily has become a Trustee of Adoption UK. Irena has continued to be a Trustee for Flag DV, and I have become a Trustee of Abingdon Carousel, as well as continuing to be a Safeguarding Governor for a local primary school. Helen Bishop, is also a School Governor for her local primary school.
And what for 2019?
We have sponsored a cog in an interactive art installation – or Loomstallation – at Oxford’s Children’s Hospital for Blue Skye Thinking, a charity raising money for research into childhood brain tumours.
We will also fundraise for local legal advice charities throughout 2019.
Finally, I am thinking about organising an event to raise money for Helen & Douglas House. That idea is definitely in its infancy though….so more of that in 2019!
Ruth Hawkins, Boardman Hawkins & Osborne LLP
www.abingdoncarousel.org.uk
www.pactcharity.org
https://loomstallation.com
www.blueskyethinking.org
www.atjf.org.uk/great-legal-bake.html
www.helenanddouglas.org.uk
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