London Legal Support Trust [1] (LLST) is in the final stages of preparations for the first of many highly anticipated in-person events for 2021. The scenic Walk the Thames is taking place on Saturday 22 May and with over 25 teams already registered, support from the legal community is clear.
There are two beautiful routes (one of them can be a half or full marathon) to choose from and fundraising has already started with gusto! After what feels a very long time, walkers (and runners), are keen to unite in person to raise vital funds. For obvious reasons, the 2020 walk was called off, however, in 2019, the event raised £23,000 for frontline free legal advice agencies.
Lawyers, senior judges, QCs, law students and frontline caseworkers will join together (with full consideration of the government guidelines) to take on either a half or full marathon, walking (or running) along the River Thames from Tower Bridge to Putney or Hampton Court.
The charity is delighted that Lord Justice Haddon-Cave (running the full marathon) will start the event from Tower Bridge and Sir Peter Gross will lead from Putney.
The pandemic has devastated so many people in London and the South East, many of whom never thought they would need legal advice. Issues include domestic abuse, homelessness, employment issues, debt and problems spiralling from mental health difficulties. Frontline free legal advice agencies serve the most vulnerable in our society and these organisations need more funding.
LLST CEO Nezahat Cihan commented, “We would like to thank everyone who has signed up a team, or joined Team LLST to walk the route on the 22 May. We have taken every possible step to ensure the event will be safe and enjoyable for all. Even with optimism that the end of the pandemic is on the horizon, the need for free legal advice is still increasing and funds are still desperately needed.”
However large or small a team, every contribution is valuable as LLST continues to fight for access to justice and the availability of legal advice for all. Thank you to everyone who has supported Walk the Thames so far, and please do continue to sponsor your friends, colleagues, family members and clients to help the first event of 2021 be a huge success.
To sign up or find out more information please visit the LLST website here: www.londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk/our-events/walk-the-thames-2021/ [2]