Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham Office Nominates Charity of the Year

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, which provides vital care and support to local families living with terminal illness, is set to benefit after staff at the Birmingham office of Irwin Mitchell nominated it to be their Charity of the Year for 2018.

The national law firm’s initiative sees staff across each of its offices hold a range of events throughout the year to raise funds for local causes which have been selected through a vote.

The programme is part of the work of the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation, an independent charity which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary and has raised more than £1.6 million for charities in the UK and abroad.

Birmingham St Mary’s cares for individuals at its hospice in Selly Park, in people’s own homes and in community locations; giving people more choice and providing services whenever and wherever they need them.  It also offers bereavement support for families and loved ones, as well as emotional and practical help.

Every day, the hospice supports 350 individuals across Birmingham and Sandwell. It costs £8 million each year to provide its crucial services to local families – that’s £22,000 a day, £914 per hour and £16 every minute – and over half this funding needs to come from voluntary donations. With Irwin Mitchell’s support, the additional funds will help the Hospice to reach even more individuals and their families, carers and loved ones than ever before. 

Stuart Henderson, is the Regional Managing Partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office.

Previous charities supported include Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and Molly Olly’s Wishes but this year it is the turn of Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice which has helped people like Jo Wardell and her sister Leititia, or ‘Tish’ for short.

Tish had terminal lung cancer and she and her family were supported by the hospice before she passed away.

Jo said: “Birmingham St Mary’s is a very special place and I’ll never forget the care and kindness they gave to Tish. The nurses and staff at the hospice were just amazing. Nothing was ever too much trouble and they always seemed to have time for my sister and our family. They even let Tish’s sons sleep over in their private family room for a few nights so that they could spend more time with her. That meant a lot to them and I know they are extremely grateful for being able to do that. Even on the morning she passed away, the nurses didn’t rush the family away – they took the time to be with us and offer their support.”

Charlotte Anson, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “Over 50% of the £8 million needed to run the hospice each year comes from voluntary donations so we truly rely on the generous support of local people and businesses – like Irwin Mitchell – to help fund our vital work.

“Every penny raised will help provide free end of life care and support to individuals and their families, carers and loved ones across Birmingham and Sandwell.”