Firms to compete in a 100-mile cycle Ride for Justice while raising vital funds for Law Centres
Firms to compete in a 100-mile cycle Ride for Justice while raising vital funds for Law Centres to help fight a variety of community cases.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, securing legal advice has been an uphill struggle for millions of unsuspecting Britons who fall into the ‘justice gap’ – unable to afford a lawyer to solve legal problems without getting into serious financial difficulty.
This September leading law firms, including Mishcon de Reya, Brown Rudnick amongst others, will Ride for Justice to raise vital funds to help fight community cases including evictions, domestic disputes and child custody issues.
Hosted by the Law Centres Network – UK Law Centres’ membership-body – the Ride will see teams from different firms race to complete a 100-mile course through the Surrey Hills. Participants will set off at midnight and ride until sunrise in the ultimate all-nighter while peddling to stay ahead of the chaser car. Their reward for finishing will be a champagne breakfast at Denbies Wine Estate, and a chance to hear host and cycling tv presenter Matt Barbet interview a special guest from the cycling world.
Law Centres Network have organised the Ride, with events company WMP Creative, in order to support their 50th Anniversary ‘Law For All’ campaign, which is seeking to establish stronger funding streams from the legal sector, after austerity cuts to legal aid forced 20% of Centres to close their doors in the last ten years.
Teams of five riders will aim to raise a minimum of £5,000 each, with the Network hoping that £100,000 will be raised in total. Firms will also be given the opportunity to have a pro-cyclist ride with their team and give them tips on the way, as well as accessing discounted kit.
Julie Bishop, CEO of Law Centres Network, said:
“At a time when many risk losing their homes and livelihoods due to the pandemic, Law Centres have experienced skyrocketing demand for their services. With the funds raised from the Ride for Justice, we will be able to provide more vital legal advice for those who need it.”
Georgina Yik, of Mishcon de Reya, said:
“We are thrilled that Mishcon will be taking part in this unique and exciting night-ride challenge. At a time where demand for Law Centres’ services is on the rise, we are also proud to raise money so that more people can access justice.”
All funds raised will help to secure and retain Crisis Navigators: non-lawyer link workers who complement Law Centres’ legal assistance by taking care of those non-legal trigger problems, and have demonstrated great effectiveness in pilot programs at Ealing and South West London Law Centres. national and local benefits and accessing other forms of support to help them through adversity
The Ride for Justice will begin at Denbies Wine Estate at midnight on Friday 17th September, finishing on the morning of Saturday with the champagne breakfast.
If you’re interested in entering a team for the Ride, email [email protected], and to donate click here.
Kindly shared by Law Centres Network
Main article photo courtesy of Pixabay
