Helping those helping others: LGFL charities for Christmas 2020
As family lawyers we are aware more than most of the pressures on families this year. For Christmas 2020, we’re focusing on local charities that help families and those in need here in the Reading area, nationally and internationally.
Charities have had a tough year due to the pandemic, yet their help and support has never been in such high demand. Many families who in 2019 never thought they would need help, suddenly found themselves struggling to cope. The same applied to the hard-working front line staff of the NHS, pushed to limits they too had never encountered before.
To continue with our ethos of supporting charities, communities and families this year LGFL have supported a number of causes.
The Salvation Army
Our first charity we’ve chosen to support is the Salvation Army in Reading, helping local people in need affected by the pandemic. Their tireless community work includes helping families, older people and the homeless, sadly a growing community at present due to economic hardships.
The Salvation Army’s practical, on the ground support includes:
- ‘Meals on wheels’ Christmas lunches and companionship to older people living alone
- Christmas food parcels to families who are struggling to afford a proper Christmas lunch
- Distributing modest toys to children whose parents are unable to afford presents this Christmas
- Hot food, blankets and hygiene kits for rough sleepers
- Day centres where the homeless can access specialist help
Creating Better Futures
This COVID pandemic is having a global impact, affecting families and children worldwide. Before COVID-19 was even identified, we sponsored a girl in Zimbabwe through Reading-based charity Creating Better Futures. Plaxedes wants to become a policewoman, and our sponsorship ensures she can stay in school and fulfill her dream. This year we also sent a gift box, created with the help of the charity, to ensure the contents were right for her and her family. Most of this will be essential items that Plaxedes and her family need, but will be so grateful for. A reality check for us all.
Reading School
While NHS charities benefitted from high-profile fundraisers such as the inspirational Captain Tom, many businesses and organisations were quietly helping out at grass roots level, supporting their local NHS staff in practical ways. One of these was Reading School, a leading state secondary school here in Reading with academic results and an ethos that rival the best.
The school focuses on ‘building good men’, and well-rounded leaders of the future who have a responsibility to the wider world around them.
The school has always had a strong philanthropic ethos, and students are encouraged to actively fundraise for a variety of causes throughout the year. These continued throughout lockdown 1.0 and beyond, with the school teaching a full curriculum throughout remotely. Staff and pupils still found time to help NHS workers and their local community, making national news as thought-leaders
This included providing:
- Food parcels and essential items to Reading School families most affected by the COVID crisis and until school resumed.
- Education and care for vulnerable children and children of key workers.
- Over 850 meals provided for children of NHS staff and key workers.
- Weekly cakes and treats delivered to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and four local care homes, provided by the Reading School community to keep their spirits up.
- 350 meals served daily at the Royal Berkshire Hospital to front line workers.
- 44 accommodation units hosted on the school site for the NHS, as featured in the national news.
- Connecting with their alumni and over 300 Old Redingensians over the age of 65 and shielding, to ensure they were not in any undue difficulties.
It is as a result of the above initiatives that we are so proud to be able to support the school and their work beyond the classroom in developing charitable initiatives and habits that students will carry forward into their adult lives.
Charities in 2021
LGFL will continue to support local, national and international charities in 2021, as we have done ever since the company was founded twelve years ago. We believe that by helping various charities rather than just one, we can help more of them through these difficult times and support a range of initiatives.
As we say, we are a small firm with a big heart.
If you’d like to join us, here are the links to donate. If you’re a UK taxpayer, remember to Gift Aid any donation, so the charity gets the maximum benefit.