Plymouth Junior Lawyers strike again, hosting networking and charity events whilst raising funds for Veterans With Dogs
The Plymouth Junior Lawyers Division have gone from strength to strength for another year, as the group of young lawyers arranged a number of networking, social and fundraising events in support of their charity of the year, Veterans With Dogs.
The 2016-2017 committee year saw outstanding efforts from members of law firms across Plymouth, raising much needed funds and awareness for Veterans With Dogs, a charity dedicated to the training of assistance dogs for veterans suffering from mental health disorders, including PTSD. It is commonly accepted that a Veteran suffering from a condition like PTSD often becomes extremely isolated. Their lives can be dominated by conditions such as anxiety and depression and introducing specially trained assistance dogs into their lives has been shown to have hugely beneficial outcomes. The PJLD target was to raise £5000.00 to sponsor a puppy through it’s first year of training.
The team, made up of members from Curtis Whiteford Crocker, Wolferstans, Womble Bond Dickinson, The Family Law Co and Enable Law started the year by hosting their ever popular quiz at The Loft, raising £1000.00.
The group went on to hold a breakfast networking event supported by Boston Tea Party, enjoying training from Mike Turner of the 6 O’Clock Club and Captain Stephen Malcolm on networking and interview techniques.
For the second year running, Charities Director, Helena Campbell from Wolferstans Solicitors, hosted the Mad Hatters Family Fun Day. The fun day, which took place at Boringdon Park Golf Club, was attended by more that 2000 people and raised an astonishing £4,200.00. The event was kindly sponsored by GA Solicitors, Medical Clerical Bureau, Kita’s Kitchen, Encore, Plymouth City Bus and was match funded by Barclays Bank. Helena says “being able to bring the local community together in support of a charity so close to my heart, with such a motivated team by my side has been incredibly rewarding. We are excited to follow the progress of the puppy in training under the guidance of Craig and everyone at Veterans With Dogs on their mission to help another veteran on his pathway to recovery.”
After the busy events throughout the year, including some friendly inter-firm competition at Adrenaline, they joined forces with RICS Matrics, another local committee, for their inaugural summer ball, enjoying the glitz and glamour of all things masquerade. The event raised a fantastic £2,000.00 and would not have been possible without the sponsors, GA Solicitors, Classic Builders, RGB Recruitment and Tarc Solutions, and was match funded by Halifax.
The committee smashed their fundraising target, and chair of the Plymouth Junior Lawyers Division, Chloe Hamblin along with Charities Director Helena Campbell were delighted to present a cheque for £6,800.00 to Craig MacLellan, the CEO of Veterans with Dogs. This will enable them to sponsor another puppy through training, and contribute towards their campaign in the year ahead.
Helena Campbell (Wolferstans), Craig MacLellan (Veterans With Dogs), Chloe Hamblin (Curtis Whiteford Crocker)
Craig MacLellan in response to the fundraising efforts of the committee says:
““We are absolutely delighted to have been presented with such a fantastic amount! From initially being chosen as Charity of the Year by the committee to the final figure that was reached, they have worked exceptionally hard all year, organising some really fun and exciting events. We are truly grateful to each and every person within PJLD, and those extended friends and family, who have helped with all fundraising PJLD have done on our behalf. Thank You PJLD.”
Veterans With Dogs carefully select puppies to join the programme, before placing them with volunteer puppy socialisers for their first 12-18 months of life. If you think you could volunteer and take a puppy to various locations, meet different people and help them interact and have fun, get in touch with the charity via email: info@veteranswithdogs.org.uk or telephone: 0843-289-8899 (local rate).
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