The Story So Far! About Us the Story of the Trust in Numbers So Far “Our Aim Was Simple - to Give Something Back”
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Leaving a positive lasting legacy by supporting grass roots sport, raising educational aspiration and assisting community projects for young and old, through small grant awards. The Story So Far! About Us The story of the Trust in numbers so far “Our aim was simple - to give something back” When launching the Neil Hudgell Solicitors Trust two years ago, our aim was simple - to give something back. The grants are modest in size and in most cases the seeds of a great community project or initiative have already been sown, or perhaps even established, through the hard work of the individuals involved. Our financial support simply helps them to reach out a little further. Without doubt it is the passion, dedication and tireless efforts of volunteers in the organisations and groups which make them a success, supporting 125 projects funded between June 2012 and March 2014. and enriching lots of lives in many ways. The magic of the Trust has been its ability to make us all at Neil Hudgell Solicitors realise what great work is going on in our local communities. £93,512.55 awarded in grants to community groups and charities across the Yorkshire and Humber region. It is with this in mind that we are happy to continue and extend the work of the Trust into the foreseeable future and we hope that it continues Our vision to have a positive impact on communities across the region. 13,856 – people involved in projects funded. Investing in local life Jo Hudgell Chair of the Neil Hudgell Solicitors Trust 8,220 children and young people supported. Our mission 3,077 older people have benefitted from donations. Leaving a positive lasting legacy Now we’re giving and supporting even more ... £100,000 per year! by supporting grass roots sport, raising educational aspiration and 1,159 people with physical disabilities involved in projects supported. assisting community projects for Having seen the impact and positive contribution to communities our small grants have made over the past two years, we are delighted young and old, through small to mark our second anniversary by increasing the annual pot of funds available to £100,000. grant awards. 799 people with mental / learning disabilities involved in projects supported. This means groups will now have the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £2,500 (up from £1,000 previously). We hope this extra funding will enable many groups to deliver projects which are truly sustainable in their communities, as the extra resource will allow them to make a greater impact. 601 people in BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) groups have benefitted from the Trust’s support. Our values Over the past two years we have also been approached by many people and individuals who have fallen short of the Trust’s • To support sustainable community projects specific grant criteria, but who we have felt have been deserving of our support. They have previously received direct donations • To add value to voluntary and charitable groups from Neil Hudgell Solicitors. and causes • To make a positive impact in communities by As a result, we have decided to add the option of the Trust awarding discretionary grants to those we feel deserving. The advice is simple, if you feel you deserve the support of the Trust, even if you may not strictly meet all criteria, bringing people together Grants provided to groups and charities in: contact us and we will consider your case on its merits. • To build strong relationships with voluntary and Bradford, Doncaster, Grimsby, Hull & East Riding of Yorkshire (including Bridlington, Pocklington, • charitable community groups Driffield, Beverley), Leeds, Scarborough, Scunthorpe Selby, Sheffield, Wakefield and York. • To provide opportunities for community projects and ideas to become established, grow, and thrive. 2 3 About Us A message from Neil Hudgell Who we support Sport “A national business with its heart in the community Recently, players where its foundations remain” Luke Brennan and Kizzy Blue Wade both won awards at the first Hull and East Riding ALTHOUGH our business is now established across the UK as a leading specialist law firm in the Disability Sports Awards, organised areas of medical negligence and personal injury, Neil Hudgell Solicitors remains a company with its by Wheelchair Sports Hull. Luke was heart firmly in the community where its foundations remain. named Best Newcomer and Kizzy “We believe all won the Young Player of children should have the Managing director Neil Hudgell was born in Hull, completed a Masters Degree at the University of Hull the Year award. opportunity to partake in sport, in 1991 and was awarded a Doctorate in Law by the University in 2009. regardless of their background or financial barriers. “As we are staffed Neil set out to establish a firm where client care was always the priority, and that focus remains today – by volunteer coaches, the Trust’s a quality which ensures the business stands apart from its competitors. donation ensured we were able to keep costs very low for Legal experts centre their work around meeting clients’ needs and getting them the best possible participants, which outcome, understanding and fully appreciating that nine times out of ten, compensation will never is vital.” be enough to return a life to normal, but can help the individual involved to start rebuilding their lives. “This has made The company always aims to go the extra mile, and as an example, has a network of partners able “From day a real difference to to give high quality rehabilitation support to all clients. one it’s been a hugely rewarding Luke’s life. He now East Riding Electric Eels Powerchair FC competes in a sport he loves St Paul’s Boxing Academy initiative for all with his friends, something “WHEN establishing my own company back in 1997, it was always in my mind to give something involved.” he never thought would back when I was in a position to do so. be possible.” AS the East Riding’s first Powerchair football team, the Electric Eels are helping many disabled young OLYMPIC champion Luke Campbell may be the headline maker from St Paul’s, but behind “My local community, particularly in Hull and East Yorkshire, played a key role in supporting people enjoy the fun and friendship which comes through competitive sport. Officially launched in January the doors of Hull’s most famous amateur boxing club are hundreds more young children my business through its early days and helping it to become established. 2013, the group has gone from strength to strength, now competing in the North East Powerchair Football League. with the ability and desire to follow in his footsteps. Our donation helped buy two specialist power chairs, bumpers, balls and goalposts, and the club now has three fully trained coaches. “As time passed, we would receive requests to provide funding support for local good causes and individuals. Purchasing new boxing gloves, pads, bags, head guards, gum shields and hand strapping It was something we were always more than happy to do, and it was always a very rewarding experience. Luke’s father, Lee, is of no doubt over the positive impact being involved with the Electric Eels has had on his son, who has had with funding from the Trust, the equipment ensured the club was able to cope with growing cerebral palsy from birth. “Luke has been confined to a wheelchair since being a toddler, but has always wanted to participate demand for places following Campbell’s gold medal success in 2012, and provide “It became apparent that, as a company, we were already contributing regularly to good in sport,” he said.“He has always been a Hull City fan but never thought he’d be able to compete in football, until he found out high-quality sessions. causes, and so two years ago we formalised the process into the business, launching the about Powerchair Football. Neil Hudgell Solicitors Trust. “From day one it has been a hugely rewarding initiative for all involved.” More than 260 children and young people, some aged just four, and around 40 “This has made a real difference to Luke’s life. He now competes in a sport he loves with his friends, something he never thought Neil Hudgell women are still using the equipment, donated last summer, every week. Founder and managing director of Neil Hudgell Solicitors would be possible.” 5 Who we support Sport Who we support Education The best thing that happened to me was learning English at the “Women’s Centre. I was isolated, but this helped me find myself again and meet many good people. “It brings kids from all different backgrounds ” off the streets, teaching them sportsmanship, citizenship and pride.” Pet Respect HUMBERSIDE Youth Darts Organisation is hitting the bulls-eye when it comes to FOR anybody moving into new surroundings and a new life, integrating into WHILE most young children want to have a pet to call their own, many simply don’t appreciate the the community can be difficult. It is easy to feel cut off, isolated and lacking responsibility which comes with it. inspiring children to get off the streets, into sport, and to take pride in their community. in confidence. However, Hull and East Riding charity Pet Respect is working to educate children from primary school age about responsible This is particularly the case for many women in Hull, where there is a rising percentage of the pet ownership, and the prevention of animal cruelty. Donations from the Trust helped provide the facilities to cater for increasing numbers of members, and to cover the cost of travelling to compete in county representative matches.