Walker Morris Helps Out

July 2010

Partners, associates, trainees, secretaries, vacation students – everyone at Walker Morris has been entering into the community spirit in recent months, volunteering on a whole host of projects and raising funds for numerous charities. Two of them have even cycled from one end of the country to the other.

On 9 July, the firm took part in Give and Gain Day, the UK's largest day of action for employee volunteers. Two separate teams were fielded – one working at Victoria Primary School in Leeds (pictured above) and one at Kippax Meadow. Heather Bradburn, one of the Walker Morris team leaders at the primary school, commented:

"The project, painting the fence around the garden and nursery, was fantastic to get involved with. Not only have we brightened up the garden, we have improved the learning environment for the younger children too."

Over at Kippax meadow, volunteers (pictured above) spent the day laying a path to improve access to the meadow. Natalie Knowles and Jessica Tunstall, who organised the day on behalf of their colleagues, said:

"It is really motivating to get out of the office and be involved in a project that will have such a lasting impact in the community. Not only have we made a difference, but we have had great fun and worked with lots of different people from across the firm."

Imran Hussain recently volunteered for the CEDAR Mentoring Programme for 16-18 year olds, a pan-European Muslim professional's network. Imran took part in one of the sessions in Leeds on 10 July at Abu Huraira Mosque, joining mentors from many different backgrounds – law, medicine, local government for example – a number of whom had travelled from around the country to offer their guidance and support. Imran commented:

“It was fantastic to work with these young children and share our experiences, a real eye-opening day. There was also a “Dragon's Den” style event – unleashing all of our competitive streaks! It is incredibly rewarding to help these children realise their potential.”

At the end of June, the firm entered a team in the annual Community Foundation Dragon Boat Race at Clarence Dock in Leeds - raising a total of £415 and earning themselves a "very respectable" mid table place against 28 other teams.

On 30 May, Nick Cannon and Richard Outhwaite set off on the ultimate UK cycling challenge - cycling 1067 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats – and 8 days later they arrived safely, but a little tired, at their destination. A celebratory dip in the sea concluded a fantastic effort for charity – the pair have raised over £2000 to date for Wakefield Hospice! Nick and Richard averaged about 130 miles cycling a day - sometimes coping with ascents of over 4,000 metres.

Earlier in May we, once again, supported the Leeds Y Factor fund-raiser for Mencap, carrying on an event that has raised over £50,000 for Mencap in the preceding 2 years – with the backing (literally) of the Walker Morris band. Our Real Estate and Banking Litigation Group also returned to Parklands Primary School in Leeds to "refurbish" the wildlife garden they had originally renovated for the school back in 2005.

Louise Power, director, who organised the group's efforts on both visits, commented:

"We're delighted to have made it back to Parklands Primary school and, since our visit, many of the Year 6 children that took part have been in touch. They have sent letters with fantastic drawings of the flowers and vegetables, saying how much they loved the day and thanking us for all our time. It is great to hear that they are enjoying looking after the flowers - and eating all the produce!"

Ian Gilbert, managing partner, and a member of the team that worked at Victoria Park Primary School (pictured painting the fence below), commented:

"The firm is extremely proud of the contribution made by employees to CSR programmes - we really encourage everyone to get involved in whatever way they can and, as you can see from the activity over the last few months, there is no shortage of enthusiasm!"

The firm are also grateful for the support and encouragement from their clients and suppliers – a number of whom make significant contributions. Ronseal, for example, provided all the paint for the firm's Give and Gain day activities.

For Walker Morris, Corporate Social Responsibility extends well beyond just writing a donation cheque to a charitable cause. The firm is dedicated to being a responsible contributing member of society, creating a positive social impact by supporting the community and people where we work and live and actively caring for the environment in which we operate. The firm's CSR policy outlines its support for a broad range of activities in areas such as pro bono assistance, sponsorship and the arts, charity and community work.

The firm also recently reinforced its long-standing reputation for innovative sponsorship of the arts by announcing its sponsorship of a landmark exhibition by the internationally renowned Yorkshire artist Ashley Jackson. The exhibition, ‘The Power and the Passion’, a collection of Jackson’s dramatic works of the Yorkshire Moors, will open at the Mall Galleries, in London, in October before moving to Yorkshire’s Temple Newsam later in the month for a protracted run through to May 2011. This latest sponsorship continues a 16 year association with Ashley Jackson through his role as judge in the firm's annual ‘Children’s Calendar Painting Competition’ which has raised over £50,000 to date for Martin House Children's Hospice.