Last week, the two charities I support most, as a result of personal experience and my work with my clients, Headway (the Brain Injury Association) and SIA (Spinal Injuries Association) had annual events taking place.

Last week was Action for Brain Injury Week, culminating in Hats for Headway Day on Friday.  This is an opportunity to raise awareness and to fundraise for a really worthwhile charity.  Headway, the Brain Injury Association, is a national charity supporting survivors who have sustained brain injuries as well as their families.  It has 125 groups and branches across the UK, which in turn provide support, services and information.  Headway’s frontline services also include a free helpline, the brain injury identity card (to assist in everyday situations) and Headway Acute Trauma Support (HATS) nurses who assist families during a patient’s acute treatment.  Information includes a variety of leaflets and booklets on aspects of brain injury and its implications, as well as a directory of approved rehabilitation units, respite facilities and residential homes.

Headway also maintain an approved Headway Solicitor’s Directory of solicitors and law firms with the requisite experience, who have all agreed to work within Headway’s personal injury lawyers’ code of conduct.

Friday was also Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day, raising awareness of the 50,000 or more people living with spinal cord injury in the UK and Ireland, many of whom have suffered brain injuries as well.  It is a harsh reminder that such injuries can happen to anyone, at any time.  According to the SIA, recent research suggests that every 8 hours someone in the UK sustains a spinal cord injury.  The focus of the day, however, is to demonstrate how worthwhile and ful­fill­ing life can still be after such a life-changing injury.

Five charities, Aspire, Backup, SIA, Spinal Research and Spinal Injuries Scotland have all come together with the support of their ambassadors, Steve Bram and Lucy Shuker for this national event.

In the autumn, my colleagues and I will attend the very worthwhile SIA solicitors’ training day to ensure our knowledge of the latest developments and issues affecting our clients is up-to-date.

Meanwhile, for spinal cord injury awareness day, I will be doing my bit once again this year when I host my fourth annual fish ‘n’ chip supper in aid of the SIA.  The event is a little later this year, no doubt due to the royal wedding celebrations, and so we are hoping for a warmer evening in a couple of weeks’ time.  Invitations have been sent out, the balloons and banners have been ordered from SIA and I am looking forward to a relaxing evening of fund raising and catching up with a dozen or so old and new friends.  A gourmet supper will be provided courtesy of our local chippy, followed by homemade Eton mess and washed down with one or two bottles of prosecco.  Bliss!

* Disclaimer: The information on the Anthony Gold website is for general information only and reflects the position at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. It is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied.*

Monday, 21 May 2018 will see the Lord Chief Justice and thousands of people taking part in the 10km London Legal Walk to raise money for The London Legal Support Trust. The charity works diligently to raise money for free legal advice centres in London and the South East, including law centres, advice agencies and citizens advice bureaux.

The London Legal Walk is organised by The London Legal Support Trust as one of their big fundraising events of the year. Year on year donations have increased, from £391,000 in 2008 to a record £800,000 last year. Without such donations, many of these free advice centres would be unable to function, leaving many without access to justice.

The government cutbacks of legal aid in 2013, have meant that public funding is now generally unavailable for most civil cases. This has meant that many more people are seeking the assistance of free legal advice centres, who themselves are receiving less funding. Therefore events such as this are a prime opportunity to raise much needed funds.

Having volunteered with the citizens advice bureau myself, I can confidently state that they and the other charities that either give or host free legal advice services provide an integral facility to those in need within our communities. This includes for instance those living with a disability or illness who need assistance or those facing homelessness, or living in awful housing conditions.

The reality is that anyone can find themselves in a situation where they require urgent legal advice. Our legal system is held in high esteem throughout the world, with the rule of law being a key principle. Therefore there should be access to justice for all, not only those who can afford to pay legal fees.

The majority of those that take part in the event work within the legal community including judges and lawyers, but the event is open to anyone who is interested in preserving access to justice.

Please support us in raising money for a fantastic and vital cause. Our team’s fundraising page is:

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AnthonyGoldSolicitors18

* Disclaimer: The information on the Anthony Gold website is for general information only and reflects the position at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. It is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied.*

On Wednesday 22 November 2017 a dedicated team of Anthony Gold volunteers (Sana Bibi, Alex Giles, Aveel John, Elaine O’Connor, Laura Christodoulou, Sophie Bullimore, Natasha Barham and Tom Dickinson) took part in yet another fundraising challenge for Headway East London. Following last year’s success of hot stepping across fire, and in true survival spirit, it was time for the next challenge…walking barefoot across 4m of broken glass!

Our glass walkers braved the sharp edges of broken glass to raise much needed funds for those much braver than us all – those affected by acquired brain injuries who conquer their own challenges daily. Headway East London currently provides specialist and personalised support and services for over 200 survivors, their family, friends and carers in the local area each week, and is a charity we have supported closely for many years.

The nerves were building on the day, with people asking whether we would get shards of glass stuck in our feet or whether a visit to A & E would be on the cards. However after a brilliant training session at Holborn Studios to build our confidence and conquer our fears, followed by a very enjoyable team building warm up of funky dance moves, games of ping-pong, and even learning how to break a wooden board with our bare hands, our confidence was high and it was time to walk over the broken glass. The sound of glass breaking under our feet rang loudly but no one faltered, everyone making it to the finish line without an injury in sight!

We are pleased to say that we have raised almost £2,000, which is the cost of an annual membership at Headway East London. Many thanks to all those who have generously donated.  If anyone would still like to donate, please visit the following link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/anthonygoldglasswalk17

Our special thanks to our expert trainer Steve at Holborn Studios for keeping us all out of harm’s way and to Rosy of Headway East London for organising the event. A special thanks also goes out to Amy Wedgwood at Anthony Gold for encouraging us all to be a part of this unforgettable night and to conquer our fears.

We nervously await what’s in store for us all next year!

An amazing £1,450  was raised this year from the annual Headway East London/Anthony Gold quiz night.    Despite my extensive knowledge of George Michael’s back catalogue and 1980s fashion I still didn’t find myself on the winning table. I have a plan for next year that involves sitting on the Headway East London table as that’s clearly where the talent is.

This month’s Supper Club – Headway Eats is happening on Friday 14 July. I can’t recommend it highly enough and where else will you get a superb three-course meal in Shoreditch, with entertainment all for £15?

There are so many things happening a Headway East London this year to celebrate 20 years since they first opened their doors.

If you would like to be involved and to help raise funds by dancing, swimming, running, or (like me) eating for charity, then please take a look at their website.  As well as giving details about getting involved, the website has very useful sections about the services Headway East London offers to brain injury survivors, their families and carers.

There is also information about how to be referred to access those services, click here.

* Disclaimer: The information on the Anthony Gold website is for general information only and reflects the position at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. It is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied.*

On 9 November 2016 team Anthony Gold will be walking on hot coals to raise money for Headway East London (‘HEL’  – pun fully intended in relation to this particular event).

When HEL told me about this challenge I thought I might struggle to find colleagues brave enough to get involved. How wrong I was!  Apparently, this is something that lots of people ‘have always wanted to do’.   I’ve decided that the people I work with must be an incredibly brave bunch.

My plan was to get a team together and then to organise, arrange and most importantly encourage them as they took their turn walking over the hot coals.  It seems I was wrong again. The second most common comment I received was ‘I will do it, if you do!’.

As a big fan of Headway East London and all that the members and staff do every day to support people living with acquired brain injury across 13 London boroughs what could I say?

Headway East London provide therapies, advocacy, family support and community support work alongside their day service: a community venue where members can make the most of their abilities and interests. Their occupational projects include an art studio, writing projects and a professional kitchen where members cook each day for other members, volunteers, staff and visitors.

Anthony Gold Solicitors sponsor Headway East London’s monthly supper club.  The Hackney Gazette and The Evening Standard have both recently published great articles about the event  that you can read here.  I highly recommend the supper clubs – it’s a great evening and the food is outstanding. If you would like tickets to the next one please let me know.

Be one of the first to get tickets for the next event (they usually sell out quickly)

Walking on hot coals is not something that I have always wanted to do at all but the people I know who have acquired brain injury didn’t have such a choice to make.    Please contact me for more details if you would like to sponsor me to do this – or if perhaps you would like to sponsor me not to do it that would be most appreciated as well.