Recent fundraising activities
Office Charity of the Year
Irwin Mitchell has its own independent registered charity, the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF) which has made over £750,000 of charitable donations since its formation in 1997.
The foundation is predominantly funded by employee giving and fundraising. Each office of Irwin Mitchell selects a different charity each year to support, the only criteria is that the charity benefits the community local to that office. As well as local charities IMCF also supports number of national charities such as Children in Need, Operation Christmas Child and Macmillan cancer care.
2009
The Leeds office charity of the year was Dogs for the Disabled, which is a life-transforming charity, creating exceptional partnerships between people living with disability and specially trained assistance dogs. Through practical assistance a dog can offer freedom and independence to children and adults with physical disabilities and children with autism. The staff helped raise £4800 for the charity through collections at supermarkets, running a BBQ at the charity's family fun day, holding dress down days and office raffles.
The charity said “ thank you for your fantastic donation…not only has this amount enabled us to purchase a suitable pup (“Kip”) and place him with a host family for the next 12 months but also …. sponsors your puppy for his entire socialization period and through advanced training .. and eventually partners him up with a disabled child or adult, beginning a very special relationship indeed!”
2010
The Leeds office charity of the year was SNAPS, (Special Needs and Parent Support), a voluntary organisation run by families, for families with children with disabilities. It provides opportunities and support for children and families, offering hydrotherapy swimming sessions, dance classes, speech and language sessions and a summer school. The charity isn’t government funded so relies on donations and lottery grants.
The staff helped raise £5396 for the charity through events such as book sales, cake sales, make up evenings and a partners job swap.
2011
The Leeds office charity of the year was Leeds Childrens Charity, the Charity was established in 1904 to "brighten" the lives of children in Leeds suffering from poverty, neglect, or abuse / domestic violence etc . Every year they take 350 disadvantaged children (aged 7 -11) from Leeds to the purpose built holiday centre at Silverdale, Morecambe. The children are looked after by dedicated staff and take part in a range of indoor / outdoor activities - arts/crafts, bowling, go karting, swimming etc.
The staff helped raise £8405 for the charity through events such as quiz nights, raffles at the Morely fun day, selling easter eggs and sponsored 10k runs. Staff also helped the charity be donating Easter eggs, clothes hoes books, washing powder etc.
The charity said “ I would like to thank all the staff at Irwin Mitchell for their very generous support …over the last year, thank you again for the cheque which will be used to provide free 5 day residential short breaks for up to 20 disadvantaged children…thank you again for all your help and support for which we are extremely grateful”
2012
The Leeds office charity of 2012 is Martin House children’s hospice, which provide family led care for children with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses. It is a place where children, young people and their families can come to stay from time to time along their journey and find support, rest and practical help.
The staff have some great events planned over the next 12 months to raise funds for this great cause including sponsored sky dives and runs, make up evenings, and Baking competitions.
The charity has said "We're delighted that Irwin Mitchell has chosen us as their Charity of the Year and are excited to work with them in what is our 25th and their 100th year”
EVENTS
Members of the Leeds team are supporting, attending or taking part in the following events in 2012:
- National Association for Voluntary and Community Action Seminar 10 January 2012 - Irwin Mitchell's Leeds office hosted this event which informed members of voluntary organisations across the country regarding the legal challenges of recent funding cuts.
- Child Bereavement Charity Study Day February 2012 - Irwin Mitchell's Leeds office hosted this event which enabled support workers, Coroners' officers, police officers, carers, school support workers, mental health workers and therapists to come together to share experiences of dealing with bereaved children. Anna Bosley gave a presentation on Inquests.
- Leeds Mencap Fundraising Meeting 12 March 2012
- Friends of Lucy-Mai Spring Ball 22 April 2012 - the ball this year will raise money for SNAPS, Special Kidz UK, the Child Development Centre at St James' University Hospital and Destination Florida
- Legal Walk 9 May 2012 - a walk around Leeds Leeds in aid of local law charities such as the CAB and law centres
- Martin House Quiz 10 May 2012
- Sue Ryder Yorkshire Women of Achievement Awards 25 May 2012 - an event celebrating and recognising the achievements of inspirational women in the region.
- Jane Tomlinson Hull 10k 3 June 2012
- Jane Tomlinson Leeds 10k 8 July 2012
- Jane Tomlinson York 10k 5 August 2012
- Little Hiccups Ball 29th September 2012