Local legal community unites to support free frontline legal advice services in Reading & Berkshire

London Legal Support Trust (LLST) are delighted to confirm the Reading Legal Walk is back for the twilight of the summer on Tuesday 19th September 2023.

The 10km sponsored Walk unites local law firms, barristers’ chambers, advice agencies, in house legal departments, and students to raise both awareness and funds for the provision of pro bono legal advice to some of the most vulnerable members of the community. The aim this year is to raise £12,000 and the Walk will be led by HHJ Emma Nott and Simon Muir (The High Sheriff of Berkshire).

The demand for advice services, especially in the areas of debt, benefits, homelessness and housing has increased dramatically due to the cost of living crisis. Therefore, the funds raised by the Walk are more important than ever. Taking part in the Reading Legal Walk raises vital funds for local advice agencies including Age UK Reading, Citizens Advice Reading, FLAG DV, Launchpad and Refugee Support Group. Citizens Advice Reading have shared that every £25 raised enables them to extend their service to one more person in need, while every £1 donated to Citizens Advice Reading gives a £2.66 return to society.

Bob Nightingale MBE, Head of Fundraising and founder of LLST, remains more passionate than ever that the sector needs support and funds in a year that has seen austerity and hardship increase. He commented, “As the cost-of-living crisis takes its toll on people up and down the country, it’s more important than ever that we come together to support our local advice agencies. Free legal advice is a fundamental human right, and the incredible advice agencies that this event supports are increasingly in demand. Thank you to all the teams who have signed up so far and those who have made donations –we are looking forward to walking shoulder to shoulder in Reading.” 

Teams will begin to arrive from 4.30pm for the route which starts and ends at the Forbury Gardens with a free drink’s reception, provided by LLST. The walk officially starts at 5pm.

LLST welcome any organisation, or individual, who feels passionate about the fantastic cause of supporting their local community and those who find themselves in need. There is still plenty of time for new teams to join and LLST will set up a fundraising page to help you get started.

You can find out more information on our website and/or register via a very short form. For more information, please email the friendly events team at signups@llst.org.uk  

ENDS*

Notes to Editors  

LLST was set up in 2003 to help law centres, Citizen’s Advice Centres and other legal advice agencies to raise unrestricted funding that is vital to their survival. LLST supports over 120 organisations across London and the South East. In 2022, LLST raised over £2 million, a large proportion of which was from the London Legal Walk, which raised £720,000.

https://londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk/ | Twitter: @LondonLegal | Instagram: @LondonLegalSupportTrust Contact: Curtis Howett curtis@llst.org.uk