Emdad Rahman
THOUSANDS OF lawyers and supporters in central London joined the Lord Chief Justice to walk 10k and raise funds for the London Legal Support Trust (LLST). The Trust provides funds for Law Centres and pro bono agencies in and around London, all of which play a crucial role in preventing homelessness, resolving debt problems, gaining care for the elderly and disabled and fighting exploitation.
Before the walk the Rt Hon. Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd – Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales and President of London Legal Support Trust – sent a message of support. He announced:
“I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Monday at the wonderful London Legal Walk. The free legal advice charities and pro bono agencies supported by the walk help the most vulnerable people in London and the South East. Last year’s walk raised over £700,000 for this important cause. So, while the walk is pleasant and great fun, asking people to sponsor you is the crucial element.”
A total of 699 teams signed up for this year’s walk, hoping to raise well over £500,000 by the time walkers had started their respective routes and 12,000 legal professionals completed the walk. With sponsorship continuing to pour in, the total raised looks set to surpass last year’s £740,000.
Herbert Smith Freehills team fielded a walk record of 477 walkers, and Mishcon de Reya sent over 200. The Government Legal Services were represented by 180 walkers, and Clifford Chance staff added 150 to the list. Kings College London Dickson Poon School of Law, Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, Allen & Overy and LexisNexis all had over 100 walkers taking part.
Teams commenced their walks from the Knights Templar and the Law Society, while a street party took place on Carey Street with food stalls, entertainment, a raffle, and merchandise stall.
This year’s walk was a bit different, and there were two routes: as well as the regular walk between the parks there was a river walk that took in the South Bank. The carnival atmosphere on a sunny London day saw senior judges pose for team photos with walkers.
A group of youngsters from various parts of East London, including Whitechapel, Newham and Barking & Dagenham, took part and completed the walk to support the cause and contribute towards raising awareness and funds. The team included teenagers Mohammed Amin Jimale, Marwan Choudhury, Abu Sufian Wahab, Mustak Ahmed Tanbir, Kayed Hussain, Abu Bakker and Ismael Rahman.
Amin Jimale was really pleased to have taken part. He said: “I had my friends with me and I think we were by far the youngest team here today. We felt that we needed to support this cause as some of the most vulnerable people in our city benefit so much from free legal services. We’re really pleased to have completed this together.”
The team was sponsored by Hunter & Bloomfield. Hamid Yusuf from the Isle of Dogs Estate Agents said, “We try our best to support important causes. Well done to all 12,000 walkers who took part, especially this group of youngsters. Their achievements are truly inspirational and an example to adults as well as their peers.”
•The LLST was created in 2004, and it has grown incredibly in the ten years since, largely because of the willingness of its supporters to advocate its work and events. The LLST promotes a legal system in which everyone has access to justice. Through the London Legal Walk, the Trust raises much needed funds for charities that provide life changing legal advice and representation to those in need. For more information about the Trust, go to: www.londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk
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