Bath charity Julian House, which supports homeless people with a range of services, has received £25,750 from city-headquartered law firm Royds Withy King – the result of a two-year link-up between them.
Royds Withy King, which has offices on Midland Bridge and next to Queen Square, made Julian House its official charity partner in 2019.
Since then its lawyers and staff have staged events ranging from bake sales to dress-down days, taken part in charity walks and, last winter, donated the average cost of a Christmas meal and a pair of new socks.
Three staff – Jessica Burston, Ali Cloak and Fran Tremeer – brought in funds by taking part in a challenge trek to scale Mount Kilimanjaro while employees also donated their time by volunteering with the charity, which provides homeless services and accommodation, domestic abuse services, criminal justice, employment support and more across the South West.
Julian House fundraising and digital marketing manager Cathy Adcock said: “We have been delighted to have worked with Royds Withy King over the last two years.
“Their significant financial contribution to the charity could not have come at a better time for us. A new and vital kitchen extractor was fitted in the first year.
“Last year changed for everyone. At a time when we had to cancel/postpone our fundraising events and our charity shops closed, the demand for our services increased dramatically. The support from Royds Withy King helped us to get 40 rough sleepers off of the streets and into accommodation.
“On top of their financial support they have also helped us with pro-bono support, re-vamped a garden in a supported housing project, collected charity shop donations and three energetic employees even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with the Julian House team.”
Solicitor Sophie Webb, pictured, who chairs Royds Withy King’s charities group, added: “It’s been a particularly tough time for charities in the past year so we’re thrilled to donate the proceeds of our campaign.
“Our staff and partners vote for a charity to support in each of our regions every two years. It’s a brilliant opportunity to make a tangible difference, with a focus on raising money and doing something practical too.
“Our charity partners play an important role in the communities where we live and work so it means a lot to us to be able to support them.”
She said corporate social responsibility (CSR) was one of the firm’s core values and all staff were encouraged to take advantage of two paid volunteering days given to them every year to provide practical support to a charity of their choice.
The firm also works with community foundations in the regions where its offices are based to deliver grants from endowed funds.
Last month, staff in the firm’s Bath offices voted to make Trauma Breakthrough, which supports adult survivors of trauma and abuse, their charity partner for 2021-23.
Royds Withy King employs around 520 people across its offices in Bath, Swindon, Oxford and London.
