The importance of giving back to the community

At Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors we have always encouraged our teams to give back to the communities they serve. It’s at the very heart of what we do.

The pandemic has underlined the importance of helping each other and being part of a community.

Our support and involvement with charities, online events and organisations has been even more vital during these difficult times. We are fortunate across Cumbria and Northumberland to have so many wonderful communities and so many individuals and businesses who give their time and energy to making a positive difference.

As we come to the end of another year we have been delighted to play our part, whether through volunteering or fundraising, the latter raising more than £3,500 for good causes across our communities.

We have also been able to support charities by giving them advice on how to put together sponsorship packages to help them with fundraising. It’s been a tough year for many including charities and we try to help where we can.

Our staff also enjoy playing a key role in charities, from board level to delivering services on the ground. Earlier this year, Associate Solicitor, Claire Wilson, became a trustee of Hospice at Home West Cumbria, while staff across the business volunteered to deliver groceries and food bank parcels during lockdown.

Many of our team are on the last leg of their latest charity fundraising mission, after the firm signed up to be one of 50 supporters who have pledged to raise £500 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria by January 1, 2021. Staff have been scaling 50 Wainwright fells to reach their target.

Earlier in the year five colleagues from Cartmell Shepherd’s wills, probate and inheritance team raised nearly £900 for the Alzheimer’s Society by taking part in the Run for Dementia challenge.

Taking part in events or volunteering not only helps you develop as a person, it also enables you to become part of the community and is a good way of lifting spirits in what have been challenging times.

Over one weekend in June this year, hundreds of people pulled on their trainers to take part in the Lakesman in Lockdown. With the annual Lake District triathlon cancelled due to the pandemic, organisers found an innovative way for people to still take part – by running and cycling at home. Cartmell Shepherd sponsored the event to help make it happen and some of our team enjoyed the challenge of training and taking part.

Other members of our team have raised money for a range of charities including the Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, Hospice at Home West Cumbria, the Alzheimer’s Society and have made donations to Carlisle and Penrith food banks.

After the cancellation of agricultural shows this summer, Cartmell Shepherd continued its support shows via their online platforms. Although no longer able to rehearse in person due to restrictions, the Cartmell Shepherd Community Choir has continued to meet every Thursday lunchtime via Zoom. And this Christmas, Cartmell Shepherd staff packed and sorted gifts for CFM’s Mission Christmas and are helping with the Christmas tree collection service for Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland.

Thank you to all those across our communities who have supported any charity and volunteering efforts throughout 2020. It really makes a difference and is part of what makes our communities so special.

After what has been a difficult year for so many we hope that better days lie ahead for everyone across all our wonderful communities in 2021, and we wish you a happy, peaceful and healthy New Year.

You can contact Carol Fish on 01228 585245.