It has been an eventful couple of weeks here at the Midland Legal Support Trust, especially now that Legal Walk season is in full swing!! We’ve had great fun traveling across the Midlands and meeting all the fabulous walkers who are fundraising for a great cause. So far we have had an excellent turn out at the events in Northampton, Birmingham and most recently Nottingham. All together over 553 people have come out after work to walk 10k in their city, rain or shine, to help raise funds for legal advice centers. Amazing stuff!

We want to say a huge Thank you to all of you who have got involved so far. And not forgetting our brilliant sponsors and lead walkers all of whom have simply been incredible in helping make these events a success!

Our next stop for the MLST will be Leicester on the 19th June. We are thrilled to be visiting Leicester and look forward to meeting more walkers and raising funds which will be used to help individuals who would otherwise be unable to access vital legal advice.

12 May 2017
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Immediate Release
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northampton Legal Walk
3rd sponsored Northampton Legal Walk raises over £2,500 for free local legal help
 
On Monday 24 May, just under 90 lawyers, advisors and other legal professionals joined forces for a sponsored walk along the River Nene to raise over £2,500 to support free legal advice in Northampton and throughout the Midlands.
 
Under the banner ‘Supporting access to justice in the Midlands’ 11 teams of walkers from law firms, barristers' chambers as well as the voluntary and advice sector came together to raise funds for the Midland Legal Support Trust (MLST) and other local free legal advice charities. Walkers were joined by Rupert Fordham, High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Clare Colacicchi, Senior Partner - Hewitsons​, Ika Castka, President of Northamptonshire Law Society, His Honour Judge Mayo, His Honour Judge Handley, District Judge Lynch, His Honour Judge Fowler, His Honour Judge Timothy Smith, and His Honour Mr Justice Keehan.
The 10km route meandered along the river and through the town’s sights, giving many walkers the chance to see a new side of the town. The weather was fine and breezy; a perfect spring day to stride out and raise money for a vital cause.
 
Walkers taking part fundraised for the cause by seeking sponsorship. The event was also supported by Hewitsons who sponsored the finishing line reception at their office in Billing Road, which was gratefully received by thirsty walkers.
 
Alongside some well-deserved refreshments walkers were welcomed back by the lead walkers who spoke about the growing importance of continuing free legal advice and support for the sector and the vulnerable individuals who rely on such services.
 
The event is run by the Midland Legal Support Trust (MLST). The MLST was formed in 2010 to raise and distribute funds to support the provision of free legal advice in Northampton and throughout the Midlands to those who otherwise would not be able to afford it. It is part of a network of Legal Support Trusts, working with the Access to Justice Foundation, to facilitate the access to specialist legal advice for the poorest and most vulnerable people in the community.
 
The organisations supported by the event make a huge difference in the lives of many people. The recent cuts to civil legal aid have not only affected the legal profession, but have also drastically impacted the services provided to members of the public.
 
Cuts to legal aid and local government funding of advice services means charities such as these are fighting to survive. Some organisations have merged, meaning already tight resources are being stretched over greater distances. Other organisations have ceased to provide services altogether.
 
A representative from the MLST said “The Northampton Legal Walk is a fantastic and fun way to raise awareness and funds for free legal advice charities in our region. Cuts to legal aid affect the poorest hardest and we strongly believe that everyone should have access to legal advice when they need it.
“We are thrilled that so many people took part in the walk and supported this important cause.“
 
More information about the MLST and Northampton Legal Walk, including all the pictures from the event can be found on the MLST website at http://mlst.weebly.com/northampton-legal-walk.htmlnorwich-legal-walk.
You can find the event on Facebook (http://tinyurl.com/ELSTFB) or by using the hashtag #legalwalk, you can also follow the Trust on Twitter @MidlandLST.
 
ENDS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes

• The Midland Legal Support Trust (the Trust) is part of a nationwide group of 8 other Regional Legal Support Trusts set up under the guidance of the Access to Justice Foundation across England and Wales to support the provision of pro bono legal advice through grants, fund raising and other help.
• The Northampton Legal Walk is a sponsored event which engages the local legal profession, advice sector and public in promoting access to justice. More information can be found at http://mlst.weebly.com/northampton-legal-walk.html
• For more information about the Access to Justice Foundation see its website at http://www.atjf.org.uk/ or contact Laura Cassidy by email lauracassidy@atjf.org.uk or phone 020 7092 3973.
• For more information about the Midland Legal Support Trust see its website at http://mlst.weebly.com/northampton-legal-walk.html or contact the Trust by email enquiries@mlst.org.uk. 

Exciting news here at the Midland Legal Support Trust! We are holding our next Legal Walk in Birmingham on Monday 8th May and with just over 5 weeks to go before the big day there is still plenty of time to come together with your colleagues or friends and get involved for a great cause.

Starting at 5.30pm from No 5 Chambers on Steelhouse Lane, the 10k route can be walked at your own pace! Upon completion of the route there will be the opportunity to all come together and have some well-deserved refreshments. Additionally, we are holding a photography challenge during the walk so please remember to take some photographs and share them with us afterwards @MidlandLST using #legalwalk.
​
We are fundraising because a reduction in Government and Local Authority spending has impacted the most vulnerable people in our communities, preventing access to legal advice for those who desperately need it.  Our fundraising events such as the Southampton Legal Walk and the recent Great Legal Bake, are of vital importance to support continued provision of services and overcome the damaging impacts of funding cuts. Help us help those who need legal advice, walk with us in Birmingham on Monday 8th May!

Talking of baking, our recent Legal Bake fundraiser held during February was a great success! Raising an incredible £33,000 across all Support Trusts in the UK. The money raised in each area will be used to keep legal advice free and available to all.

We are always looking for more teams to get involved, and now that the days are getting longer and (hopefully) warmer there should be no excuse! So if you enjoy walking and supporting great causes this is for you.  If you haven’t signed up yet, not to worry, follow the link below and enter a team today! Together we can help support local legal advice agencies. http://mlst.weebly.com/birmingham-legal-walk.html

http://www.bpcentre.org.uk/

​Thank you Midland Legal Support Trust!A big thank you to the MLST and to everyone who raised funds to support organisations like Birmingham Peoples Centre. Without your support we would struggle to meet the costs involved in providing our services. The grant we recently received will enable us to continue to assist those who have nowhere else to turn and make employment rights meaningful.

The Great Legal Bake is on its way!

The Great Legal Bake cannot come fast enough and as the days speed by the numbers of bakers continues to grow! We now have 75 bakers committed to getting their scales out to support local advice agencies in their mission to ensure access to justice for all.

Last year we had 77 bakers get involved, and we’re already hoping to beat that number this year. After raising over £20,000 last year let’s all get our whisks at the ready to raise even more in 2017!

The Midland Legal Support Trust  is doing great so far with Beverly Brittan LLP and the Nottingham Family Law Group  just signing up to join many others to make this Great Legal Bake the best one so far. You can see who’s already signed up here.

We’re very excited to start baking and hope you will all join us! 

Not long now - we're excited for the Midland Legal Support Trust Great Legal Bake!
 
​We are really excited about the Great Legal Bake coming up in just over one month from February 20th-24th. We already have 50 teams organised so far, all ready to bake and raise funds to support access to advice for all. Last year, we raised over £20,000 in baking efforts, and are looking forward to surpass that amount in baking extravaganzas this year. 
 
The Midland Legal Support Trust was established to support the provision of free legal advice in Birmingham and the Midlands and the Great Legal Bake is an important part of our fundraising activities. The organisations we support make a huge difference in the lives of many people. The recent cuts to legal aid and reduced household income for many working families has increased demand for free access to specialist legal advice and it is more important than ever that the poorest and most vulnerable people in our community have access to such support. For example, the trust has supported projects such as the Public Law Project which included gaining "exceptional funding" necessary to prevent breaches of fundamental rights.  
 
During the week, there will be bakes across the country at various firms and organisations. This is an opportunity for lawyers to showcase their inner Mary Berry’s and show off their baking talents in support for a great legal cause. Cupcakes, cookies and cakes at work (savoury and sweet) - what’s not to love!
 
We would like to get as many people involved as possible, so gather your co-workers, friends and family to get involved in the baking to raise vital funds for legal advice agencies!

As part of National Pro Bono Week, over 70 organisations signed themselves up for the biggest quiz of the year. The Midland Legal Support Trust teams tested their knowledge of everything from films to the Olympics to raise funds in support of access to justice in the Midlands.
 
A big thanks to teams from Actons Solicitors, Asylum Support & Immigration Resource Team (ASIRT), Bevan Brittan LLP, Central England Law Centre, Coventry Law School, FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, Irwin Mitchell LLP, Moneypenny, Mills & Reeve (Birmingham), Personal Support Unit (Birmingham), University of Birmingham Law School Pro Bono Group, University of Leicester Pro Bono Group
 
Topping the fundraising leader board in the Midlands so far are Personal Support Unit Birmingham who have raised an incredible £425.00! However, funds are still coming in and we’re confident that this will be the most successful Great Legal Quiz yet!
 
All teams did a great job in raising money, and we are very grateful to everyone for pulling out all the stops to raise as much money as possible to support access to justice in the Midlands.
 
The charities supported by The Great Legal Quiz help thousands of people every year gain access to justice. These charities are often the last resort for people facing difficult and distressing legal circumstances but without the resources to pay for private legal advice. Without this charitable work many vulnerable people would be left alone to navigate the court and justice system without any advice or support.
 
The national winners will be announced very shortly – watch this space!

​It is time to put on those thinking caps as The Great Legal Quiz is almost upon us! There's still time for you to join and you can register here. 

Nationally, we have 71 teams signed up, all raising vital funds to support access to advice for all.

The charities supported by The Great Legal Quiz help thousands of people every year gain access to justice. These charities are often the last resort for people facing difficult and distressing legal circumstances but without the resources to pay for private legal advice. Without this charitable work many vulnerable people would be left alone to navigate the court and justice system without any advice or support.

It looks set to be a fantastic event with so many teams competing for the top spot, while raising money for access to justice.

The Great Legal Quiz is just around the corner!
 
The Great Legal Quiz cannot come fast enough and as the days speed by, the number of quizzers continues to grow! We now have 7 teams in the Midlands committed to quizzing to support local advice agencies in their mission to ensure access to justice for all.
 
The Quiz is completely self-run: we supply the questions and advertisement posters, all you need to do Is sign up and prepare to get quizzing!
                                                                                                                    
Are you an advice organisation and not too sure about signing up? As an advice organisation, you are able to use the Great Legal Quiz to fundraise 100% for your own organisation. Alternatively, if you are not an advice organisation, you can choose to split the funds, 50% for the MLST and 50% to the charity of your choice!
 
Please do spread the word and get as many people involved as possible! The questions will not be law-focused so anyone with any general knowledge is invited to participate!

​We are really excited about the Great Legal Quiz coming up in just over one month on Wednesday 9 November. We already have 30 teams signed up for the self-run, nationwide quiz, all ready to raise funds to support access to advice for all as part of National Pro Bono Week. We will supply the questions, and posters for you to use to advertise your quiz night wherever you want; in a local pub, your office, the charity where you volunteer, or just at home- all you need to do is sign up!
 
If you were hoping to take part on behalf of a charity, you also have the option to use the Great Legal Quiz to fundraise 100% for the charity of your choice, or split the funds you raise 50% with the Midland Legal Support Trust!
 
The Midland Legal Support Trust was established in 2010 to support the provision of free legal advice in the Midland region of England and the Great Legal Quiz is an important part of our fundraising activities. The organisations we support make a huge difference to the lives of many people, supporting the most vulnerable by providing funds to local organisations such as Nottingham Law Centre, Birmingham Peoples Centre and Asylum Support and Immigration Resource Team (ASIRT). Since the recent cuts to legal aid have come into force, the number of Law Centres has decreased by 20%, and reduced household income for many working families has increased demand for free access to specialist legal advice. It is more important than ever that the poorest and most vulnerable people in our community have access to such support.
 
We would like to get as many people involved as possible, so gather your co-workers, friends and family (you don’t need a legal brain to participate) to join us for an evening of quizzing and fun while raising vital funds for legal advice agencies!