200 years - August Random Acts

We are continuing our 200-year anniversary celebrations with random acts of kindness in the local community and a look back at our history.

Random acts of kindness

This month we made a donation to Headway Essex that was used towards renovating the garden used by their service users and carers. Headway Essex is a charity that supports those suffering a brain injury. In Essex, every 58 minutes, somebody is admitted to hospital with an acquired brain injury. As a charity, their mission is to ensure that everyone in Essex living with an acquired brain injury can live a fulfilling life and that families and carers are better able to cope within their caring roles.

Renovating their garden became a major piece of work and this included new fencing, turf and garden furniture for their service users and carers to use. They also purchased a large shed and lots of garden equipment including 3 wheelbarrows, 3 trugs that service users have been growing strawberries and herbs in, 4 tool sets, 4 kneeling pads and lots of compost, seeds and plants. Birkett Long’s donation was used in conjunction with a grant the charity received, so it helped them to buy more equipment for their service users to use and enjoy the garden.

Tracey Wellstead, Fundraising Manager for Headway Essex said: “Thank you so much for your donation, we’re over the moon with how our service users are embracing the garden.”

Farrah Harvey Nawaz and Claudia Hubert from our Divorce and Family team hand delivered some doughnuts to the Family Court Justice Centre in Chelmsford to surprise them, and to Trinity Chambers, with whom they work closely. 

They delivered some doughnuts to Stefanie Wickens, a barrister who always goes above and beyond for them and their clients.

They also treated Kids Inspire with some branded cupcakes. They took these cakes out to a camping trip so they were enjoyed by all. Katharine Loveday, Corporate Fundraiser for Kinds Inspire said: “Thank you for the delicious cakes, a wonderful surprise! We are taking a group of young people camping tomorrow evening so will send some along for them to enjoy.”

The team also surprised the cleaner and the security team at our Chelmsford office with some sweet treats as a thank you for all that they do. 

Phillipa Green, a PR consultant, received brownies from the Marketing team and said: “CRUMBS! They’re all gone! Thank you to Birkett Long for the chocolate brownies. They were gone in a flash (I had to share them, sadly).”

For the August summer holiday, we teamed up with Project ME and sponsored two children to be able to take part in the 3 day programme. Kate Nokes, who organised the programme said: “On behalf of Project:ME I would like to say a huge thank you for your support with our summer project in August. We had the best 3 days, we were blown away by the feedback from the children and their parents and look forward to delivering further programmes in the future. 

The 2 children that you sponsored both had a fantastic time and were able to take part over all 3 days in a variety of activities, making lots of new friends and feeling the positivity of sessions throughout. I know that they too were grateful for your support in making this happen.”

From our history

Did you know that in August 1927 Ronald Long (the ‘Long’ in Birkett Long) was admitted as a solicitor? He was still a practising solicitor when he died in October 1987.

In 2000, Peter Allen, Kurt Goddard and Tim Ogle were admitted into Partnership, where they remain today.

Kind messages of congratulations

We have received many kind messages of congratulations but this month we would like to share this one:

The court manager of Chelmsford County Court said “I have returned from a meeting this afternoon to find your incredibly kind gift for the staff. A huge thank you from me and the entire team at Chelmsford County Court, it really is appreciated. Happy 200 years!”

Gemma Hall, Operations Director at EASI Hairdressing Academy said: “I just had to come on and say a massive THANK YOU to Emma Wraight and everyone at Birkett Long for their donation to my fundraising page.”

For more information on our 200 years celebrations contact Jennie Skingsley on 01206 217605 or email: jennie.skingsley@birkettlong.co.uk