The Bristol office of national law firm Bond Dickinson has taken less than 48 hours to raise more than £10,000 for St Peter’s Hospice, its chosen charity for the next two years.
The 250-strong Bristol team pulled in the funds through a range of volunteering and fundraising activities. Starting on Friday April 7, 21 Bond Dickinson staff dedicated more than 70 hours to volunteer in 25 St Peter’s Hospice shops across Bristol, working with staff and volunteers to help them in their work.
The following day, 45 employees then took part in the Tour de Bristol, challenging themselves to cycle up to 100km and raising more than £9,000 in the process.
Then, later that day, the firm staged a cash bucket collection among fans at Ashton Gate for Bristol City’s match against Wolves, which raised a further £1,000.
Since making St Peter’s Hospice its office charity in January, Bond Dickinson has raised more than £12,000 through a range of charitable and fundraising activities including an Easter Fayre, a bingo night, a Grand National fantasy horse race, dress-down days, cake sales and payroll giving.
On Easter Saturday, two of the firm’s employees are taking part in another challenge – the Devizes to Westminster canoe race. Trainee solicitors Ian Meyer and Maxim Laithwaite are hoping to raise at least £1,500 by kayaking 125 miles in what is one of the toughest canoe races in the world as they look to complete the challenge in 24-26 hours – including 77 portages.
Bond Dickinson partner Jon Bower said: “St Peter’s Hospice has a strong personal resonance for our firm as our colleague Robert Pope received care there before sadly passing away. The Tour de Bristol marked the first anniversary of his death and so we wanted to do something special in his memory and as a tribute to the work the hospice does to support patients and their families.
“We’re delighted to have raised such a tremendous amount so far, which is our thank you to the hospice, for the vital work it delivers in our community every day and for the care it gave to Robert and his family. It is great to see so many people across our office get involved, donate and challenge themselves to support a great cause. We have also had a lot of support from our clients and contacts in the business community. A big thank you to you all.”
St Peter’s Hospice chief executive Simon Caraffi added: “We are overwhelmed with the fantastic support we’re receiving from Bond Dickinson. Support from local businesses is our lifeblood and it is with the help of businesses like Bond Dickinson that we can continue to provide vital care for patients and their families in Bristol.”
Bond Dickinson is already heavily involved in a comprehensive corporate social responsibility programme in Bristol, including Bristol Sport Community Foundation reading stars, Oasis Brightstowe Academy mentoring and the Prince’s Trust.
The firm, which opened its Bristol base in 1998, provides legal services across a range of sectors including financial institutions, insurance, retail, energy, transport, manufacturing, real estate, and private wealth. It also has offices in London, Aberdeen, Leeds, Newcastle, Plymouth, and Southampton.
Pictured: Members of Bond Dickinson’s Tour de Bristol team
