Birkett Long to support charity Headway Essex

Staff at Essex law firm Birkett Long will be raising money for Headway Essex as part of its Charity of the Year initiative, having already raised or donated almost £200,000 to various charities and organisations (many of them local) over the past 10 years.

Every year Birkett Long, which has offices in Colchester, Chelmsford and Basildon, supports and raises money for a ‘Charity of the Year’ as voted for by staff at the firm. Since 1 June, Birkett Long staff have begun holding a number of fundraising events to help raise money for the Colchester based charity which provides rehabilitative care to survivors of brain injury.

Victoria Fenner, Secretary and Charity Committee Member at Birkett Long, said: “Birkett Long and our employees are committed to supporting the communities around which our firm is based. As well as supporting a number of local community groups and individuals throughout the year, we also have a Charity of the Year which is voted for and supported by our staff.

“We are really pleased to be supporting Headway Essex over the next 12 months to help raise money for people who have acquired a brain injury, whether it is through sporting or work accidents, road traffic accidents, assault, illness or disease.”

Fundraising events include cake sales, dress down days, competitions, raffles and quiz nights. Staff will also be supporting the charity’s fundraising events which will include a sponsored dog walk and five kilometre fun run.

Joanne Hockey, Trusts & Corporate Manager at Headway Essex, added: “Headway Essex is delighted to be working with Birkett Long as their chosen charity for 2013/14. We are looking forward to working in partnership with them on some exciting and fun fundraising activities to raise awareness of and raise vital funds for the charity.”

Last year, Birkett Long’s Charity of the Year was Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and staff raised £2,284.41, which was doubled by an anonymous donor taking the total to more than £4,500 for the charity. The donation will help improve the lives of patients with all types of blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Birkett Long is committed to supporting local groups and individuals. Recently the firm has sponsored a local art group from Colchester Institute and athletes Louis Persent (who is in the running to compete in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAFF) World Championships this summer) and Gemma Kersey from Basildon Athletics Club. Birkett Long is also the sponsor of the ‘Apprentice’ style £50 Challenge to raise money for St Helena Hospice.