2011 Community matters

CSR - doing it the BLM way It is to the credit of everyone reading this annual summary of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR ) programme that each edition continues to grow , and I am delighted to be able to introduce this latest edition with news and photographs of the huge number of activities that have taken place in every one of our offices. The varied and imaginative ways in which so many members of staff have approached CSR continues to amaze; whether there’s moustache growing, tea parties, or even dressing like a Dalek, BLM staff have excelled!

It is testament to you all that BLM continues to be a place where CSR really does matter. Many of you will, through our CSR activities, have had the opportunity to learn or hone new skills where even a small charity collection will require marketing, sales, organisational, leadership and motivational skills even if you did not realise it. Above all it gives everyone an opportunity to get to know people outside your immediate team or office in delivering an outcome that is sometimes legal (such as our pro bono legal support), but is more often not. It therefore gives everyone in the firm a chance to show their talents and enthusiasm.

That commitment and enthusiasm meant that it seemed wholly appropriate to ask you to decide who our next charity partner should be. I was delighted with the turnout of around 75% in our charity vote towards the end of 2010. As you know Barnardo’s was selected to be BLM’s new national charity partner by an overwhelming majority , and we are now learning about how we work with a new charity to effectively and efficiently support them in their work and fundraising.

CSR extends not only to charitable activities but to running our business in a socially responsible manner. Last year we switched to ‘green’ electricity and this year we have made substantial progress to offsetting the effect of our printing (see page 8) and recycling a large amount of our confidential waste. In fact, in just eight months BLM received a certificate from Shred-It to say it has since saved more than 300 trees!

As we look ahead to the rest of 2011 and into 2012, I am excited to say that we will again be hosting our national quiz night which attracts hundreds of our key clients and contacts who share in our CSR commitments. We will also be planning trips to local Barnardo’s projects to see how the money raised is being spent and there are talks to take part in a forthcoming Barnardo’s triathalon, so watch this space!

Finally, I would again like to say a huge thank you to the BLM CSR team, chaired by Chris Newton. With the team’s encouragement and drive we do live up to our commitment in our vision and values to run our business in a socially responsible way. Your support and enthusiasm reflects the fact that you believe that Community matters and shows that BLM is more than just a law firm.

Terry Renouf National senior partner Community matters

A word from The Prince’s Trust BLM reflects on four Commenting on BLM’s support, Julian Barrell, years with the Prince’s Director of Fundraising at The Prince’s Trust, said: Trust “On behalf of everyone at The Prince’s Trust, and particularly the young people Over the past four years BLM staff have hiked, you have enabled us to support, I would trekked, cycled, dressed red (and lots more!) to like to thank you and everyone at BLM for raise more than £200,000 for The Prince’s Trust . your generous support of our work over the last four years. As we begin our partnership with Barnardo’s, our new charity partner for the next two years, Chris We are very proud of what we have been Newton, Chair of the BLM CSR committee tells us able to achieve together. Your support has about the firm’s time with The Prince’s Trust. helped over 200 disadvantaged young people change their lives. “We are very proud to have been a patron of The Prince’s Trust over the past four years. BLM will be missed as a member of the Insurance Leadership Group (ILG) along The Prince’s Trust gave BLM staff an with having your employees raise record- opportunity to not just raise money, but to breaking funds each year in the ILG also take part in national training and challenges. Your support of our Young public speaking events for Young Ambassador programme has also been Ambassadors, helping them to develop invaluable and we hope we can continue to important work experience skills such as work on this initiative with you in some way.” public speaking, leadership skills and networking.

The annual Prince’s Trust challenge events over the past three years have been extremely popular with staff who dedicated time and effort getting fit to take on challenges in Namibia, Costa Rica and Borneo. The firm is extremely proud of all participants for their determination to raise so much money at each event, and also BLM staff for showing much-needed support and encouragement in the run up to these challenges.

We will certainly miss working with The Prince’s Trust so closely and its dedicated team of people who worked so hard and professionally to develop our successful and rewarding partnership. We wish them every success as they continue with their fantastic work.” The BLM ‘Wildcats’

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BLM pledges to support Barnardo’s

In December 2010 BLM’s CSR committee gave staff the option of voting for a charity they would like to support for the next two years and we are delighted to announce that charity is Barnardo’s.

Around 75% of staff voted, with Barnardo’s securing 57% of the overall vote . Barnardo’s is a fantastic charity which aims to transform over We have joined a number of other corporate 100,000 disadvantaged children’s lives every year sponsors of the charity, including Royal Bank of and BLM is proud Scotland, Ecclesiastical, Legal & General and to be able to play Standard Life. a part in helping the charity to Each BLM office kick-started their fundraising meet its efforts for Barnardo’s in January with a Go Green objectives. day, celebrating the launch of our fundraising partnership. There were raffles, auctions, cake sales and even cocktail making.

This year, the firm already has plans to take part in fun runs, the hotly anticipated BLM annual quiz, a triathlon with clients , and a ‘store wars’ initiative where teams from BLM take over a Barnardo’s store for a day and compete to see who can make the biggest impact on sales.

Let’s hope we can build on the success of the past four years with The Prince’s Trust.

Barnardo’s tells us why BLM’s work with the charity is so important

Josh is 17. A year ago he was homeless and sleeping rough on the street.

It’s hard to believe that in Britain today homeless teenagers can end up sleeping on the street. But it happens. It happens in cities across the country, from to , Cardiff to Manchester, Liverpool to Leeds. In fact, it’s a safe bet that close to wherever you work, there are children and young people dealing with problems that most of us will never have to face in our lives.

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Take the case of Josh. “I was bullied at school, ” Through a network of over 400 projects based in he says. “It started with name calling, then it got local communities across England, Scotland, physical and I’d get hit, kicked and end up in Wales and Northern Ireland, we protect and fights. A lot of the time at home my mum was support more than 100,000 disadvantaged and drunk. I tried to talk to her but she’d just be sitting vulnerable children and their families each year. on the sofa looking slaughtered. In the end I No matter who they are, where they come from or stopped going to school and got in with a bad what they’ve done, we believe that every child crowd. I started drinking with them, cider and deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential. vodka and smoking weed. My mum threw me out and I had nowhere to go. I was 16. I ended up on Forbes Mutch the street, sleeping in shop doorways or down at Senior Business Development Manager, Corporate the bus station.” Fundraising, Barnardo’s

Luckily for Josh, Barnardo’s Crashpad project in Leeds was able to help. The centre offers safe BLM coming together temporary accommodation for 16-17 year olds who are homeless. It provides a lifeline in Trekkers peak on charity walk situations where children have nowhere else to turn. Josh says: “The support at Crashpad is More than 70 BLM volunteers from each office brilliant. Whatever the problem, they look for a took part in the firm’s annual charity walk in solution. Without Barnardo’s I don’t think I’d be September 2010 in the beautiful Peak District. here now .”

But Barnardo’s can’t do it alone. A large part of the charity’s success depends on the support of local and national businesses; businesses that are prepared to get involved in its projects and campaigns, businesses that care about the communities where they operate; businesses like BLM.

As Allan McLaren, Assistant Director of Fundraising at Barnardo’s, says: “Voluntary income to support our work is becoming increasingly important in these days of restricted local authority spending. We depend on organisations like BLM to reach the children who need our help the most. We are looking forward to working with BLM and getting involved in some of the events and activities that will provide those vitally important funds.”

Barnardo’s – who we are

Barnardo’s is one of the UK’s largest and best- known children’s charities.

Poverty, homelessness, disability, physical and sexual abuse , drugs and alcohol, looking after a sick parent, exclusion from education, youth unemployment – whatever the problem, we are there to help.

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Once the teams had refilled their water bottles they set off for what the marshals described as a ‘nice gentle downhill walk’ back to the hostel at Edale. What they forgot to mention was that before the downhill walk they had to get to the top of Win Hill! Several breathing stops later the team made the top and arrived back to the hostel safely before 6pm.

Altogether BLM raised more than £7,800, smashing the previous year’s total . Each BLM Fuelled by a full English breakfast the team was office selected their own charity and the money ready to take on the challenge ahead. The raised was donated to: trainees , however, had a different idea as they did the walk in reverse, which meant that instead of Acorns Children’s Hospice (BLM Birmingham) steep climbs, the team took on gentle descents! Children with Leukaemia (BLM London) Child Care Action Trust (BLM Stockton-on-Tees) Accompanied by friends, family and supporters, they were off to battle the wind and rain. Down ’s Syndrome Association (BLM Cardiff) Hampshire Air Ambulance (BLM ) After a false start by the first three teams, the Help for Heroes (BLM Manchester) trekkers were on their way, walking towards Mam Martins House (BLM Leeds) Tor along the Edale Valley. Whitechapel Centre (BLM Liverpool)

The halfway point was ‘celebrated’ by a quick visit to the Cheddar Cheese Inn in Hope Village, swiftly followed by a selection of Mars bars and Twix refuels from the marshals.

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Merry Christmas to Staff at BLM go Totally Quackers charities around the Staff from BLM Manchester, Liverpool, Stockton- on-Tees and Southampton joined forces in July country 2010 to take on almost 60 crews in the annual Dragon Boat Race in Milton Keynes. The BLM Once again, instead of sending Christmas cards, team, aptly named ‘Totally Quackers’ entered the BLM made donations to a number of charities event as a joint venture with the Motor Insurers’ chosen by staff at each of our nine offices. Bureau (also known on the day as Most Impressive Boaters) to raise money for The Children’s Trust.

The heat of the day really took its toll and with a furious paddle rate (and a lot of screaming and cheering), BLM crossed the line exhausted, aching and wilting, but proud of their fundraising achievements. Together the MIB and BLM raised more than £1,300.

BLM Birmingham : Help for Heroes , Kidney Research UK and the British Heart Foundation

BLM Cardiff and Bristol : Down ’s Syndrome Association

BLM Leeds : Martin House Children’s Hospice

BLM Liverpool : Claire House

BLM London : COCO and The Cystic Fibrosis Trust

BLM Manchester : The Royal Manchester Children’s

BLM Southampton : Naomi House

BLM Stockton-on-Tees : The Daisy Chain Project , The Northern Counties Kidney Research Fund and Arthritis Care

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Going green – in more ways than one! Going poppy for fundraising

Since 2009, BLM has been working with The Barrington Atkins put together a Christmas Pureprint Group to offset the effect of printing its themed poppy appeal quiz to help raise money publications. for The Poppy Appeal on 11 November 2010 . He managed to raise a total of £61.38. BLM This means that the carbon footprint from each Birmingham also raised a further £108.22 on a BLM publication is calculated by Pureprint (such special ‘Wear it Pink’ day. as the electricity, print and delivery). Pureprint then works with The CarbonNeutral Company and These boots are made for walking! others to ‘offset’ each tonne produced by BLM by saving a tonne through other key projects, (such In May 2010, Sarah Edwards, Laura Byrne and as reforestation of degraded land and capturing Sam Lazenby donned their walking boots to take methane from landfill and using it to generate part in the 26-mile ‘BRMB Walkathon’, in aid of clean electricity ). the ‘Home for the Brave’ at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. During 2010, Pureprint offset approximately six tonnes of CO 2 against BLM’s publications and negotiations are ongoing to further reduce BLM’s carbon footprint in 2011.

“Pureprint has worked for over 20 years to minimise the impact of its manufacturing upon the environment. It is really refreshing when clients also have the same ambition. We are delighted to work with Berrymans Lace Mawer to help mitigate its environmental impact.” Anthony Rowell Business development manager Together they raised a fantastic £600 for the The Pureprint Group charity which treats UK military patients flown back from around the world. Due to the world class care they receive there, military patients are Making a difference now surviving injuries that they would have died from ten years ago. Birmingham Bristol and Cardiff A bloomin’ great event for charity Reaching new heights BLM Birmingham held its annual Blooming Great Tea Party in support of Marie Curie in July 2010 , A very brave Helen Jones in BLM Cardiff took part raising £228.36. The money will go towards in a Pink Abseil Challenge on 29 October 2010, providing care to thousands of terminally ill raising over £180 for Tenovus, a charity which patients in the community and in hospices, along strives to prevent, treat and find a cure for cancer. with supporting their families. The charity provides support, advice and treatment for cancer patients, information on cancer The team raised the funds by selling some fantastic prevention and funding for research. The abseil cakes, dressing in flowery outfits, as well as hosting took place at the University Hospital of Wales. a Teatime Quiz. The quiz was won by Rowland Dunn who, with his stunning knowledge of tea, received the much coveted teacup of victory!

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BA£TWD! marshalling the Jane Tomlinson Leeds 10K event on 4 July 2010 . This is the second year that BLM Staff in BLM Cardiff took part in a ‘bring a pound Leeds has guided thousands of people through to work day’ (BA£TWD) campaign with Real Radio the streets of Leeds as they raise thousands of Wales in April to raise money for ChildLine, a pounds for charity. service provided by the NSPCC. Jane’s Appeal was established by the late Jane Altogether the team raised £25. BA£TWD has Tomlinson CBE to raise funds for children and been the main fundraising activity at Real Radio cancer charities. The charities that have for the last eight years and so far it has raised benefited from Jane’s support cover all areas over £250,000 for charity. including medical research, cancer treatment and specialist care. Baking for children

Taking part in this national fundraising event, staff in BLM Cardiff Liverpool donned their aprons to bake cakes to raise Law clinic still going strong! money for Children in Need and sold them to colleagues in the office. Lawyers in BLM Liverpool continue to volunteer for the Liverpool University Law Clinic, offering pro bono legal advice to students, staff and members Leeds of the public. BLM lawyers attend twice a week at the clinic to assist and supervise law students in Relay running raising money for research interviewing new clients and providing advice. A range of problems come through the law clinic doors every week and BLM has helped many people with a range of issues including housing queries and contract disputes.

The law clinic is proving very popular with Liverpool University law students who are now able to choose to participate in the clinic as one of their law course modules.

BLM staff find it an enjoyable experience by giving Richard Clarke, Elizabeth McCann, Chris Kilner, something back to the community and providing Alan Hall, Roxanne Udale and Michelle Mallot law students with crucial experience of advising sacrificed a Sunday morning lie-in in May 2010 clients in real life scenarios. to take part in the Leeds Half Marathon Corporate Relay to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Barnardo’s partnership launch Research. Over 160 teams participated in the race, choosing either to run, walk or crawl! The As part of the launch of the firm’s new partnership BLM team ran the race, setting a very competitive with Barnardo’s, partners in BLM Liverpool raffled time and have pledged to run again this year. tickets for the Liverpool v Fulham football match , with staff donating £2 to Barnardo’s to be in with Leading the way a chance of winning two tickets. Staff raised £46 for the charity, with an additional £13 being A team of volunteers from BLM Leeds pledged its donated by staff on the day of the launch . support for Martin House Children’s Hospice by

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Lawyers for Learning 10K challenge for pro bono advice

In 2010 staff in BLM Liverpool attended Our Lady A team from BLM London completed the sixth Immaculate primary school one lunchtime per London Legal 10K sponsored walk in May 2010, week to read with the children. The team assisted raising more than £500 for the Royal Courts of the children with their reading and encouraged Justice Advice Bureau. Starting at the Great Hall in them to discuss the stories, as well as helping Lincoln’s Inn, the team followed the route around them to improve their spelling and pronunciation. the City, Green Park and back to Chancery Lane. Although the scheme has now come to an end Another walk is planned for May 2011. staff in BLM Liverpool hope to participate in further similar schemes in the near future .

London

BLM London’s CSR programme – a snapshot

BLM London walks the Thames In February 2011, 13 lucky BLM participants met at the bright hour of 8am at the Thames Barrier to raise money for London’s Legal Services. On the first day of a two-day sponsored walk, the walkers Honorary legal advisors were greeted by not only Lord Phillips himself, but the cold and rain that was a London’s winter day. BLM is one of a number of law firms that works However, spirits were high and the group made with the Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau to the most of the day, enjoying the views and taking provide free, confidential, impartial legal and in the sites around the river. After completing the procedural advice to vulnerable people in court. long 20 miles, the walkers warmed up with a pint Our lawyers see firsthand the important work of this of beer in Putney to prepare to take on day two . independent charity and help improve access to justice and the smooth running of the court system. The final 20 miles began at Putney Bridge on a drier Sunday morning, but the effects of the rain BLM associate Peter Stockill runs the scheme and remained. There was no shortage of mud on the said: team’s shoes and after battling the walkers, joggers and many cyclists along the path, a rest “The Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau is was just what the doctor ordered. an important and fulfilling initiative that enables lawyers at BLM to play a major part At the end of the walk, some decided that ‘walking’ in providing access to justice for along the Thames just wasn’t enough and ended unrepresented litigants. It is a great way for up in the river itself after being swept in by the us to be part of a wider programme which evening tide! The weekend was a great success encourages the development of responsible with no shortage of adventure and fun. The team social policies and services.” walked a total of 40 miles and raised £1,339.57!

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Hackney scheme attracts new recruits crowds and the cheers kept the team moving along the Embankment back to base camp where The Hackney Reading and Numbers Scheme at they then enjoyed some fantastic fireworks. BLM is becoming increasingly popular with staff, with eight new volunteers, making a total of 20. The team works with 32 children at St John of Jerusalem primary school with reading and maths for 30 minutes per week at lunchtime throughout the academic year.

Reading partners help pupils with their reading and encourage them to discuss the stories and any related topics. Maths partners take a group of approximately four pupils and play games to further the children’s mathematical skills .

‘Dragons Den’ makes a comeback

A team of people from BLM London were once again given the opportunity to attend the St John of Jerusalem school for a Dragon’s Den workshop. Volunteers worked with young children to design and develop a product, come up with ways of marketing and promoting that product, and helped them to compile presentations, which were then delivered to a separate group of BLM volunteers.

There were certainly some budding entrepreneurs with ideas including an eyeliner with seven different colours, a toothbrush for children which includes a two-minute timer, a wireless phone charger with 10 different adapters, and a tracking product for children so parents know where they are.

Colourful costumes for Mayor’s Show

Liz Parker, Kayleigh Rhodes, Charlotte Rainsford, Rebecca Hopgood, Rebecca Gribble and Geeta Parekh in BLM London took part in the Lord Mayor’s Show procession in November 2010.

The theme for 2010 was ‘The Bear Necessities’ (of which City lawyers are clearly one!). A fantastic costume maker designed some wonderful costumes to dazzle the crowds and the new Lord Mayor, reflecting various bare necessities in life, including food, fire and light.

The day began with a full English breakfast before the team changed into their colourful costumes to begin the walk from London Wall to Mansion House and the Royal Courts of Justice. The

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City Gateway Supervising learning

BLM London continues to work with City Gateway, A team in BLM Manchester continues its supporting 16 to 24 year olds living in the local involvement in a joint project with Manchester communities of Tower Hamlets. The firm hosted its Metropolitan University and the Partners of sixth insight tour in October 2010 for 15 students Prisoners and Families Support Group. Ten people on the City Gateway Export Course, offering them from BLM Manchester are volunteering to act as an insight into employment and providing CV and supervisors to law students who are offering interview workshops. advice under a legal advice scheme.

During the training session, BLM advised and lead BLM Manchester also hosted a public speaking discussions on aspirations, CV skills, job searches, workshop with 10 young ambassadors and two interview skills and application forms, as well as lecturers from The Prince’s Trust. The day giving each student an insight into different roles commenced with a series of workshops on public within the firm. speaking and self-confidence, which were followed by a presentation given by the young 100% of the students said the tour fulfilled their ambassadors to BLM, during which they spoke expectations. When asked what they learned from about how the Trust has helped them to get where the day, one participant said that she : they are today.

Learned that doing things I most enjoy Kate Corry in BLM Manchester also volunteered to would get me somewhere and to try out help with a CV and interview workshop with young new things. It’s all about the experience. I people from The Prince’s Trust. The aim was to think the tour was excellent . help young people understand the benefits of a good CV and how to behave during an interview. whilst another said that he : National fundraising events in BLM Manchester Learned to be more confident in an interview. Staff in BLM Manchester recently raised more than £700 by taking part in two high profile national The firm took on its fourth apprentice from City fundraising campaigns. The totals raised for the Gateway in 2010 who has worked with a number following events are: Poppy Appeal - £300 and of departments in the firm to gain valuable work Children in Need - £408.56. experience. He is now employed full time by BLM. If you don’t need it … Shred-It! Manchester BLM Manchester started a confidential waste A farewell to Mission Paraguay disposal contract with Shred-It in July 2010. The environmental certificates have just been received BLM Manchester pledged to support Mission which confirms that the office have saved 306.6 Paraguay in 2008 for two years, raising much- trees since the contract commenced. Click here to needed funds for buildings and other projects to see the certificates. help people live self-sufficient lives. With help from BLM, the charity was able to purchase land to Tashtastic! secure the future of a children’s club which had operated there for 23 years. The firm also donated Sponsored walks, marathons and sitting in a 84 pairs of sunglasses, frames and prescription bathtub full of beans were not quite good enough glasses to the charity and raised money for a for two members of staff in BLM Manchester who rainwater storage tank. See our ‘Mission Possible’ went one stage further in November 2010 , feature starting on page 14 with Rob Simpson who undertaking the ultimate challenge in order to spearheaded this initiative for BLM Manchester. raise money for the charity, Movember.

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The hirsute twosome denied their upper lips the works to provide care, comfort and play to sick dignity of a razor for the entirety of November and children during their stay at Newcastle’s Great grew some mighty moustaches in order to raise North Children’s Hospital within the city’s Royal funds for the male prostate charity. Victoria Infirmary.

Alex Taylor Steve Bannell

Southampton

Supporting local refuges

BLM Southampton has set staff the challenge of The cost of the fuel was donated by Sir Cliff filling boxes full of unwanted toiletries to give to Richard; therefore all money raised on the trip local women’s refuges. The staff at the refuges went directly to the charity. often buy such items out of their own money as many of the individuals who come to them All of Radio Lollipop’s staff are volunteers who seeking emergency accommodation have just the rightly believe that children in hospital deserve to clothes they are wearing. have as much fun as other children and they achieve this through play, craft and competitive With assistance from BLM, the refuges are able to activities on the wards. The key role of a Radio offer everyday items often taken for granted, to Lollipop volunteer is to be a friend and playmate help the individuals who need them most. to sick children and to help relieve families from the stresses of being in hospital for long periods of Stockton-on-Tees time. More information can be found at www.radiolollipop.org Radio Lolli’bus embarks on national tour

Lisa Shaw in BLM Stockton-on-Tees took part in a fundraising day at the Metro Centre in Gateshead to raise funds for the Radio Lolli’bus national tour in August 2010 . Book donations for the Samaritans

Dressed as a Dalek, Lisa took to the malls to Members of staff in Stockton-on-Tees emptied raise funds and awareness for the charity which their book cases and raided their cupboards to

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find any unwanted books that they could donate Mission possible! to aid The Samaritans. The books were sold to Rob Simpson raise as much money as possible for the charity, which provides confidential emotional support In last year’s edition of Community 24/7 to those experiencing despair, distress or matters we updated you on BLM suicidal feelings. Manchester’s involvement with Mission Paraguay, a charity which provides funds Putting those stamps to good use! for developing buildings, taking part in activities with children and young people and relieving Stamps received on incoming correspondence to hardship by encouraging self-sufficiency. BLM Stockton-on-Tees are regularly donated towards the local branch of Hearing Dogs for BLM Manchester’s support for Mission Paraguay Deaf People. The charity is able to raise money was spearheaded by CSR guru Rob Simpson. He from them to help train dogs to assist those with tells us about the firm’s involvement: hearing difficulties. BLM London also collects stamps, which are donated to the Royal National Tell us about Mission Paraguay Institute of Blind People . Mission Paraguay is a charity run by the South Raising hundreds for Macmillan Cancer Research American Mission Society that helps and assists the people of South America via various projects Tracy Sampson in BLM Stockton-on-Tees aimed at creating self sufficiency amongst the organised a charity night in September 2010 to indigenous peoples of and around Paraguay , in raise money for Macmillan Cancer Research. particular the Chaco area.

With support from colleagues Jane Whitehouse This charity is no stranger to BLM as the firm’s and Nicola Swainston and raffle donations from marketing team had previously supplied BLM local companies, Tracy was able to raise funds to branded sports/rugby shirts for children in the say thank you for the help and support she Chaco area of Paraguay. received when her grandad became unwell. Why did BLM Manchester choose this as its charity Through selling tickets for a disco, quiz, silent to support for two years? auction, tombola, and a ‘guess the number of sweets’ in the jar competition, Tracy raised a I was invited by partner Mark Benson to join the fantastic £657. CSR team in BLM Manchester . They were looking for worthy causes we could support as an office . I This is the second charity night Tracy has arranged had a contact who was the UK co-ordinator of for the charity and will now be looking forward to Mission Paraguay and after speaking with Mark hosting her third fundraising night for a different we invited the co-ordinator , Mr David Orritt , to worthwhile cause. come and give us a presentation on the charity.

Comic Relief 2011 We invited staff from the office to attend the presentation. David’s presentation was really well BLM Stockton-on-Tees had a received ; he even gave personal invites to go out great day of fundraising for Red to Paraguay later on that year to assist with the Nose Day 2011 . Events ongoing projects the charity was involved in. We included paying to come to pledged to support the charity with the building of work dressed in red or in a 70’s an aljibe (an underground brick-built water themed outfit , a ‘red hot’ storage facility) and assisting in building a school lunchtime buffet, and lunchtime they had plans to build , but had no funding. bingo ! So far the office has raised almost £130. Thus was born Manchester’s ‘Project Paraguay ’.

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What does Mission Paraguay mean to you?

Mission Paraguay is one of the fantastic charities that supports people who , through no fault of their own , are at the bottom of the social and economic ladder. This charity helps these people to help themselves by building children’s schools , supplying and training local people as teaching staff , utilising local building materials and employing local people when undertaking building projects. I believe this is the way to move these people away from the poverty they find themselves in. It puts money and education back into the local communities and I firmly believe this is the way forward.

How has the money raised by BLM Manchester been used?

The money we have raised has been used to directly fund the construction of an aljibe . During the rainy season, rain water is piped from the roofs of the local buildings into the aljibe, to be used during the assisted and walked the walks during our time drought periods supporting ‘Project Paraguay ’: that are long and hard in this area Thanks guys. We couldn’t have done it without of the Chaco. you, you HAVE made a difference - well done!

We also supplied What are your fundraising plans for the year some funding for ahead? the purchase of local building We have very astute staff in BLM Manchester and materials to enable the children’s school to be they have not stood still with our ongoing CSR constructed on an area of ground that had projects – so far we have had a book sale, a cake previously been purchased by Mission Paraguay. sale and a Christmas toy and clothes collection for a local charity . I intend to arrange another With the money raised from BLM Manchester’s national glasses and sunglasses collection toward charity walks from the end of the summer, which will be sent across 2008 and 2009, to Paraguay for the people of Chaco. we were able to fulfil our pledge We are looking forward to supporting Barnardo’s and I would like and have had a clothes, books and other goods to personally say collection to start the ball rolling on a local level , a big thank you to as well as involvement in the national charity with all of the BLM projects in the pipeline – watch this space …! Manchester staff who helped,

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The year ahead

2011 promises to be an exciting year for fundraising with lots of activities already planned in each of our nine offices. Whether it’s working with our new charity, Barnardo’s, more baking and cake sales for Children in Need, or even growing moustaches for Movember, BLM staff have CSR high on their agenda .

Here are just a few of the events we already have Your CSR representatives in the pipeline: Birmingham: Charlotte Brown 20 March – Fun runs [email protected] May/June – Barnardo’s project visits 7 July – The BLM national quiz 30 July – London triathlon Cardiff: Gemma Utley September – Store wars [email protected]

Leeds: Hannah Beddis Get involved [email protected]

If you would like to get involved with our CSR Liverpool: Sarah Mansfield programme or have any ideas, please do contact your local CSR rep: [email protected]

Birmingham Lucy Wood London: Chris Newton Cardiff Gemma Utley [email protected] Leeds Hannah Beddis Liverpool Samantha Smith London Chris Newton Manchester: Rob Simpson Manchester Rob Simpson [email protected] Southampton Louise Abbott Stockton-on-Tees Rochelle Blenkinsop Southampton: Louise Abbott [email protected]

Stockton-on-Tees: Rochelle Blenkinsop [email protected]

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