Chambers has surpassed itself this year with its charitable fundraising efforts.

2016 appeared to be an excellent year, but 2017 has almost trebled the amount raised by members of chambers both individually and collectively. A massive thank you to all who got involved!

The fundraising year began with the annual ‘Bake and Eat for Justice’ event, during which we opened our doors to the local legal community, who were offered an array of Barrister-baked goodness. This event raised a tasty £161.20 for the London Legal Support Trust.

Eleanor Battie went to Greece in April 2017 to volunteer at a refugee camp with the ‘We are Here’ programme. Her aim was not only to provide practical help whilst there but to raise awareness of the plight of the refugees on her return. Members of chambers generously donated £600 to the charity.

In April, Tim Bergin and Eleanor Battie were part of the Sea Snails team, swimming in the annual swimmathon at the Lion’s Club, Haywards Heath. They raised £120 in sponsorships.

The Ghullam Hussein Volley Ball tournament, took place in July. This event, organised by chambers, is growing in numbers and success year-on-year. A great evening was had by all and an even greater sum raised. This year, the total reached £2,675 which was donated to the Rocking Horse and British Heart foundations.

In August Eleanor Battie and Stuart Taylor captained their respective teams in a Boys v Girls netball match, organised to raise funds for The Oliver Fisher Trust. The teams were made up of local barristers, solicitors and clerks who showed off their skills in front of an ‘awestruck’ crowd from the local legal community. Not only was £370 raised for the Trust but the Girls demonstrated that they are better at netball…the stakes are high for 2018!

In September, Charlotte John began her triathlon career raising a very impressive £1,149.55 for The Brain Tumour Charity.

In October, Daniel Frier, Jeremy Cave, Lauren Godfrey and Michael Walker raced in the Brighton and Hove triathalon, collectively raising £895 and Sophie Evans and her team partook in the London to Brighton bike ride, raising an amazing £6,360.62. These events were both in aid of The Oliver Fisher Trust.

December will see chambers donating various gifts and goods to the YMCA ‘Love in a Box’ Christmas appeal, organised by Vanessa Long.

The total sum raised for charity by chambers and its members this year is a superb £12,331.37. A huge thank you for the help and support, a great way to close 2017 and the bar is raised for 2018!