Birkett Long is here for good. It's not just about knowing the law. It's also about the impact we have on businesses and our communities. A great part of the firm’s success is being able to share that by supporting local charities and organisations. We do that in various ways, through fundraising within our offices, donating legal services and offering individuals’ time. Since 2002 the firm has helped contribute in excess of £421,096 to various charitable causes, including several staff-nominated charities of the year.
Birkett Long is working with The Essex Community Foundation to reach a number of local charities.
The Essex Community Foundation
This independent charitable trust sources charities in Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester to direct our donations to. One of Birkett Long's Partners is a Trustee of the Foundation.
Birkett Long in Essex and beyond
As well as our Charity for the Year, Birkett Long also supports lots of Essex wide organisations, including:
The Rob George Foundation
The Rob George Foundation was set up in loving memory of Rob, son of Philip George, Consultant Solicitor at Birkett Long, who died following a long and brave battle with leukaemia on 9 December 2013. Please see the Foundation's objectives below to find out what the Foundation does.
The Rob George Foundation has two clear objectives:
- To provide practical and/or financial support to young people with life threatening or terminal illnesses.
- To provide financial support to young people who demonstrate exceptional commitment and/or ability in the worlds of sport or the performing arts but may be held back by their financial situation from pursuing their goals.
Birkett Long supports the Foundation in a number of ways and one of our Partners is a Trustee.
Learn more about the RGF
Essex Wildlife Trust
Birkett Long is a silver corporate member of the Essex Wildlife Trust.
Essex Wildlife Trust are the county’s leading conservation charity, committed to protecting wildlife and inspiring a lifelong love of nature. They manage nature reserves and discovery parks across the county, providing outstanding outdoor education and preserving places of wonder.
Essex Wildlife Trust
St Helena Hospice
The relationship of St Helena Hospice and Birkett Long stretches back to the Hospice’s inception, when our late Senior Partner, Christopher Holmes OBD DL, was involved in setting it up. Birkett Long continues to support the hospice in many ways, not least through the firm’s sponsorship of the Birkett Long £50 Challenge in aid of St Helena Hospice. One of our Partners is a Trustee.
Get involved in the St Helena £50 Challenge
Farleigh Hospice
Farleigh Hospice provides hospice care to people affected by life limiting illnesses across mid Essex. Since being established in 1982, the Hospice and its team of healthcare professionals, has grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of the community it serves. A member of Birkett Long’s staff is an Ambassador and we sponsor the £50 Challenge to raise funds with local businesses for the hospice.
Read more about Farleigh Hospice
Writtle University College Equine Academy
Birkett Long have a long standing relationship with Writtle University College Equine Academy as sponsors of their kits. You can read more here. The students and horses were also recipients of some of our random acts of kindness to celebrate our 200 year anniversary. You can read more about our visit here.
Read more on the Equine Academy
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones are an integrated nursery which gives both mainstream children and children with additional needs the chance to play and learn together. Find out more about Birkett Long's Divorce and Family team's support of this charity here.
Essex Search & Rescue
Essex Search & Rescue responds at any time, day or night, to calls from the Police to assist in the search for vulnerable missing persons. In each case a fast response is vital. Birkett Long was thrilled to be able to provide the ESAR team with new high viz jackets and medical bags.
Read more about Essex Search & Rescue
Colbea
The Colchester Business Enterprise Agency (Colbea) is a not for profit organisation dedicated to supporting business. Birkett Long has been a corporate sponsor for many years, offering legal advice to several of its members.
Visit Colbea
Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum
The Gardens and Arboretum feature a tree collection from all the temperate areas of the world set in more than 200 acres of historic landscape providing interest and enjoyment throughout the year. Among many other things, you will find the Birkett Long Millennium Walk at Marks Hall.
Marks Hall
Essex Pride
Essex Pride is an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ life in Essex and beyond. Establishing itself since it began in 2003 as a cornerstone event showcasing Essex's successful approach to diversity and inclusion, and even becoming a factor in Chelmsford being granted City Status in 2012 by her Majesty The Queen. This is an event for the whole community, and its more than just a huge party. Pride inspires everyone to embrace equality, and demonstrates that people from all walks of life can join together and celebrate diversity. Essex Pride is a not for profit registered charity, run on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community of Essex by a volunteer board of Trustees.
Birkett Long supports this event through both attendance and sponsorship.
Essex Pride
Colchester Kings Rugby Club
Birkett Long is proud to sponsor the Colchester Kings RFC team's kit. Colchester Kings RFC is the first gay and inclusive rugby team in East Anglia. Established in 2022, the team seeks to recruit people to join with the aim of giving queer people and their allies a safe space to participate in team sports.
Colchester Kings Rugby ClubA registered charity providing opportunities for LGBTQ+ people in Essex. Based in Colchester, they offer help, support, advice and information. Birkett Long offers their members legal advice.
Birkett Long has supported Essex Young Farmers’ country show for many years, often sponsoring an area such as the Festival of Food. Essex Young Farmers is a youth organisation made up of 16-26 year olds and, despite the name, you don’t have to be a farmer to join; absolutely anyone can be a member!
Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club - junior team
LVYCC caters for riders aged 6-16 years, running a wide range of activities from serious training for champions through to riding for fun. The Club is represented in most National Competitions in youth categories and also promotes many youth races. Birkett Long sponsors the Junior Team.
CRY prevents young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research, and supporting affected families. Since the loss of our much-loved colleague, Charlotte Adams, in 2014, we have continued to support her mother, Kate Bome in her fundraising for Cardiac Risk in the Young. Kate has worked tirelessly for this charity in Charlotte’s name, raising enough to fund 3 community defibrillators and countless screening sessions.
We are proud to be a Bronze Partner of Charity Today.
The Mercury Theatre Colchester is the most active producing theatre in East Anglia, and is a vital centre of excellence in the East’s growing creative economy. Birkett Long supports the Mercury through its corporate membership scheme, and one member of staff is on the Board of Trustees.
Birkett Long supports Colchester Rugby Club by taking advertising and sponsoring occasional matches.
Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club
Birkett Long has supported Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club for many years, through sponsorship of shirts, pitch side advertising and other activities.
The festival converts unusual and unexpected venues to performance venues, and features new commissions, emerging talent, young artists and internationally renowned musicians. Birkett Long supports Roman River by sponsoring a concert during the festival.
Headway Essex work to improve lives after brain injury. Their mission is to ensure that everyone in Essex living with an acquired brain injury can live a fulfilling life and that families and carers are better able to cope within their caring roles.
Birkett Long have supported this charity via donations to buy items such as garden equipment.
Hadleigh Farmers Agricultural Association
Birkett Long supports the HFAA throughout the year, and at its annual show.
Clacton Choral Society has been in existence now for over a hundred years, having been founded by Frederick Lewellen at Christ Church in 1897, although he is said to have conducted Messiah as early as 1888! The choir has been a constant part of the tradition of choral singing in Clacton ever since, only breaking off during the Wars. Birkett Long supports the society with the production of publicity materials. A member of Birkett Long IFA LLP is the music director.
Chelmsford Young Generation is a music and drama society (charity registered) for young people aged 8 to 18, established in 1968. Boys and girls work with professional directors to perform two shows each year at the Civic Theatre and the Cramphorn Theatre in Chelmsford. Birkett Long supports the Young Gen shows with programme advertising. A member of our staff is a member of Chelmsford Young Gen.
St. Luke’s Hospice aims to provide the highest standards of care for people who have specialist palliative care needs and live in the Basildon & Thurrock districts. Birkett Long provides two members of staff to St Luke’s Corporate Partners scheme, sponsors their annual 5k run in Billericay and supports the Birkett Long £50 Challenge in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.
Basildon and Phoenix Swimming Club
Basildon and Phoenix Swimming Club promotes the teaching, development and practice of competitive swimming in the South Essex Area. Birkett Long is pleased to be able to support the club as a sponsor.
