Law Firm Raises Funds For Maypole Project

Lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s London office have been running, baking and quizzing over the last year to raise funds for their charity of the year and the hard work has paid off after they raised £10,000 for the Maypole Project.

Medical law expert Anita Jewitt presented the cheque to the charity, which supports over 100 children with life threatening or life limiting illnesses and their families every year across South-East London.

Lawyers from Irwin Mitchell raised funds by organising monthly dress down days, cake sales, quiz evenings and participating in challenges organised by the charity, such as the Royal Parks Half Marathon, a 5km Santa Run in December, and the British Asics 10km run. 

In addition to the £10,000 raised, the firm also donated £4,000 to assist The Maypole Project in setting up a new telephone helpline, to ensure people from outside of South-East London can access the services and support it provides.

Anita Jewitt, an Associate Solicitor in the firm’s Medical Law and Patient’s Rights department, said: “Irwin Mitchell has thoroughly enjoyed working with The Maypole Project during 2011, raising much needed funds to ensure they can continue helping children and their families through difficult times.  We very much look forward to working with The Maypole Project in years to come.

“Irwin Mitchell is committed to being a socially responsible organisation and encourages its staff to take part in a variety of projects as part of a comprehensive community programme, that includes raising attainment in schools, supporting vulnerable groups and offering pro bono support to those who need it the most.”

Based in Orpington, the Maypole Project provides unique emotional support that is ongoing, flexible, responsive, professional and confidential. Each family is supported by a key worker who is specifically trained and supervised to offer emotional support, which ranges from befriending to counselling or therapy. This can be offered to whole families, one to one, couples, groups, and also extends into provision of information, advice and advocacy.

Sally Flatteau-Taylor, Chief Executive of the Maypole Project, said “We were thrilled to have been chosen as Irwin Mitchell’s Charity of the Year and it has been an absolute pleasure working with them. Their overwhelming support has not only helped us to maintain our National Telephone Helpline across this year but also to provide our unique “package” of support to more than 13 children and their families.

“More than 50 individuals will have been able to feel the benefit of our lifeline of emotional support which helps them regain their equilibrium in a world which has been turned upside down following a child’s diagnosis. We would like to say a tremendous thank you to everyone at Irwin Mitchell for their support”.

The Maypole Project’s telephone helpline can be accessed by calling 01689 889889.