Over 13,000 legal professionals, colleagues, clients and friends took part in the London Legal Walk on 21st May 2018.
So far, the walk has raised £580,000. That is ahead of the target reached this time last year and so we can hope to beat last year’s amount of £810,000.
Thirty-three individuals took part on behalf of the National Legal Service from our Moorgate and Guildford branches, and managed to hit our target to raise £1000 towards the cause. On top of this, the National Legal Service will further donate £500 making our total raised £1500. We had a fantastic day walking the 10k park route whilst enjoying the sunshine.
The National Legal Service would like to congratulate all those that took part and thank all those who sponsored us to walk!
Who you were helping
Zadie’s Story
Zadie had been without any income (except Child Benefit) for her self and her young daughter for several months when she was seen by a free legal advice organisation. She had been refused Employment and Support Allowance because she was an individual from outside the UK, and did not satisfy the right to reside and habitual residence tests for entitlement to means tested benefits in the UK.
The Centre were able to successfully appeal the ESA claim on the grounds that she had a temporary right to reside in the UK, as the primary carer of a British child in non-advanced education. The successful appeal meant that she was awarded over £190 a week on an ongoing basis, with backdated income of over £5,000, enabling her to meet rent and Council tax liabilities. This has made a huge difference to Zadie and her daughter.
Tanya’s Story
Money raised can also help domestic slaves like Tanya.
Tanya’ worked seven days a week, 18 hours a day for four and a half years. She was on call 24 hours a day and was forced to sleep on the floor. She was paid 11p an hour. She had her Bible taken away from her and was prevented from attending church. She was completely isolated and not allowed to contact her family. Tanya’s captors set up a bank account in her name, which they controlled and used for their own benefit. She was refused legal aid because the Legal Aid Agency said her case was not serious enough. A free legal advice center acted for Tanya throughout the ordeal of separate tribunals, on separate issues in the case, and won all of them for her.
(*names have been changed)
These are just some of the types of cases the money raised from the walk can continue supporting. It is vital that access to justice should be equally available to everyone, regardless of his or hers financial circumstances. As a firm, we look forward to walking again next year and raising even more money towards the cause.
