Sydney Mitchell recently held its first Buddy Bag Brigade at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Solihull. Sydney Mitchell chose The Buddy Bag Foundation as one of their nominated charities for 2019 with the aim of helping children affected by violence at home; it really does pull at the heart strings.
A group of 25 volunteers from Sydney Mitchell and the Crowne Plaza Hotel packed almost 2500 items into 180 bags for the children at the Buddy Brigade.
Each Buddy Bag packed by the team goes to local women’s and men’s refuges for the children who are often unable to take any personal belongings with them when removed from the family home after experiencing traumatic events. The Buddy bags are designed to give a little bit of pleasure and comfort to a child at such a terrible time for them and contain items such as pyjamas underwear, some toiletries, a book, notepad, a cuddly toy and something to play with – at a time when they are often frightened and afraid.
Sarah Archer, Partner, Sydney Mitchell commented:
We were all deeply moved when Chris and Karen Williams talked to us about the charity and the great work they do with women’s and men’s refuges in the region.
The thanks they receive from the children and their parents is heart-warming. We hope that our effort goes just a little way to give some comfort to the children when they arrive at the shelters. Just a few thoughtful items can make a difference at a hard time in their life.
A lot of emotion went into packing the bags with such personal items; we were all very glad to have given our time to help such a worthy cause and would encourage others to do so. We wish all those affected by trauma and tragedy in the home, safety and security during their times of need.
Chris Williams, Co-Founder of the Buddy Bag Foundation, said:
It’s not just the messages of thanks we receive from the children that makes our efforts so worthwhile but also the positive impact and the wonderful feeling that our volunteers get from being involved in a team building event with purpose. Thank you ‘Team Sydney Mitchell’ you’ve made a difference to 180 frightened children.
Nicola Corfield, Sales Manager, Crowne Plaza Solihull added:
We were really pleased to support Sydney Mitchell and the Buddy Bag Foundation on the day and to understand more about the work of this wonderful charity. It is important to all of the team at the Crowne Plaza Solihull that we are there to support our local community and charities.
Legal 500 Top Tier Law Firm Sydney Mitchell is an award winning Midlands based firm with specialist legal teams that include employment, commercial property, company and commercial services, litigation and insolvency. Private client teams include family law, residential property, dispute resolution, immigration and wills and probate, tax and trusts and personal injury. Sydney Mitchell LLP has been providing legal advice in the Midlands for over 250 years.
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For further information, please contact:
Linda Heyworth, Senior Marketing Manager
Tel – 0121 746 3300 Mobile: 0777 279 5041
Email – l.heyworth@sydneymitchell.co.uk
Picture:
All staff taking part in the Buddy Bag Brigade, Sydney Mitchell LLP
From left to right…
Anne Breslin, Hayley Caprani-Warner, Gemma Parker, Julian Milan, Linda Heyworth, Sophie Thomas, Debbie Williams, Roy Colaba, Miranda Buttler, Emma-Louise Hewitt, Kiran Siddiq, Jessela Adjei, Wendy Bencens, Hayley Burrill, Teresa Mannion, Mike Sutton, Sarah Archer, Nicola Corfield, Melissa Southall and Aniqa Basharit
About Sydney Mitchell:
Sydney Mitchell is a Midlands based award winning law firm, with offices in Birmingham City Centre, Sheldon and Shirley with additional facilities in Sutton Coldfield. Offering a range of specialist legal services for both businesses and individuals, Sydney Mitchell is listed in the Top Tier of the Legal 500, Lexcel accredited and won the Law Firm of the Year in 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011 and 2008 (5-15 partners) in the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards.
The firm’s specialist teams include employment, commercial property, company and commercial services, litigation and insolvency. Private client teams include family law, residential property, dispute resolution, immigration and wills and probate, tax and trusts and personal injury. Sydney Mitchell LLP has been providing legal advice in the Midlands for over 250 years.
l.heyworth@sydneymitchell.co.uk @SydneyMitchell_ www.sydneymitchell.co.uk
About the Buddy Bag Foundation
The Buddy Bag Foundation was created in response to the rising number of children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home. The Foundation helps restore a sense of safety and security into a child’s life during a traumatic time. By providing these children with a few essential items, the charity can help make the transition into emergency care a little easier. Over 48000 children require emergency accommodation each year in the UK. Founder Karen Williams launched the Buddy Bag foundation in 2014 after being inspired by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation in Australia. hello@buddybagfoundation.co.uk
www.buddybagfoundation.co.uk @buddybagsuk Charity No. 1164916
About the Crowne Plaza Hotel
Crowne Plaza Solihull is set in the heart of Solihull and just 5 miles from the NEC and Birmingham Airport. The hotel offers a range of bedroom types, 12 meeting rooms, a heated swimming pool and a lakeside terrace restaurant. Free WiFi is available throughout and free on-site parking is available. The hotel has a range of conference facilities including 12 meeting rooms which can hold up to 200 delegates. The on-site leisure club, Club Moativation has a heated indoor pool, sauna, hot tub and fully equipped gym. Crowne Plaza Solihull is located 1 miles from the M42 motorway junction 5. Solihull train station is a 10-minute walk from the property.
https://www.crowneplaza.com/hotels/gb/en/solihull/
West Midlands law firm, Sydney Mitchell has been short-listed in the medium size law firm of the year category at the Law Society Excellence Awards for the second year running. The medium law firm of the year category, which is open to all law firms in England & Wales with between 5 and 29 partners, is judged on matters such as professional excellence, staff engagement and development, business and client acquisitions.
Senior Partner, Sydney Mitchell LLP, Karen Moores commented,
We have had a fantastic year and it is wonderful that the Law Society has recognised our success by short-listing our firm in their national awards. It is also amazing to have been short-listed in these Awards for the second year running and I would like to thank all of our clients and staff for all of their support.
Sydney Mitchell is the only law firm based in the West Midlands within this category and so will be waving the flag for the West Midlands legal community at the Law Society Legal Excellent Awards ceremony which takes place in London on 23 October 2019.
The Law Society president Simon Davis said:
There are more than 140,000 solicitors in England and Wales – to be shortlisted for an Excellence Award is to be recognised as among the very best of the profession. The firms and solicitors shortlisted should be commended for going above and beyond to support their clients, often navigating tricky and sometimes contentious areas of the law.
Full details of all shortlisted ... https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/support-services/events/excellence-awards/shortlist/#
More details can be found on the Law Gazette article link ...
On the 6 July a team of four intrepid climbers from Sydney Mitchell Solicitors will take on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge. 12 hours, 3 Peaks, 64 pairs of socks and an abundance of plasters, is in between them and victory.
They are taking on this gruelling challenge to raise funds for two worthy causes, Age UK Solihull and The Buddy Bag Foundation.
Age UK Solihull is a charity with a mission to improve the lives of older people within the Solihull Borough. Age UK Solihull provides many services including social clubs and befriending programmes to tackle feelings of isolation and loneliness many within the older generation are going through.
Please click on the following link to learn more: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/solihull/about-us/
The Buddy Bag Foundation provides comfort to children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home. Buddy bags help to restore a sense of safety and security into a child’s life during a traumatic time.
To learn more about The Buddy Bag Foundation click on the following link: https://buddybagfoundation.co.uk/our-mission/
To sponsor our “Peaky climbers” in their aim to raise money for these two charites please click on the link below and donate, all donations are welcome.
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/PeakyClimbers-Sydneymitchell
Watch out for more information. Hour by hour coverage will be posted on the 6 July on our Facebook page @SydneyMitchellSolicitors
Another great professional networking event held at Purnell's Bistro, Ginger's Bar, Birmingham with over 75 guests attending.
Karen Moores, Senior Partner, thanked all attendees for supporting the networking events and their contribution over the years in our fundraising activities.
In particular, Karen thanked those who supported the recent Charity Ball at which the firm raised over £10,000.
Karen Williams of the Buddy Bag Foundation and Lorraine Hart of Age UK Solihull addressed all guests, thanking Sydney Mitchell for their support of their charities and for the amazing fundraising the clients, contacts and staff have done over the last 12 months.
The food, as always, provided by Glyn Purnell and his amazing chefs and staff was excellent.
Karen Williams announced at the event that Sydney Mitchell had been awarded "Company of the Month" by the Buddy Bag foundation for the firm's recent fundraising activity. A great honour and the certificate was accepted by Karen Moores and Linda Heyworth on behalf of Sydney Mitchell.
A few of the pictures from the event can be seen below and on the link attached.
Over 200 people attended the Sydney Mitchell Charity Ball held at the National Conference Centre on 22 November 2019, raising over £10,000 for two local charities; the Buddy Bag Foundation and Age UK Solihull.
Karen Moores, Senior Partner, Sydney Mitchell thanked everyone for their support of the charities and welcomed Chris Williams of the Buddy Bag Foundation and Anne Hastings, CEO of Age UK Solihull to say a few words on behalf of the charities.
It was an amazing night aimed at raising funds for two well-deserving Midlands’ charities and I can’t thank everyone enough for their generosity on the night and to all who donated prizes for the raffle. We chose our charities this year covering both the young and old in our communities. It is a real pleasure to be able to give something to people who are vulnerable and needing support. Thank you again to all supporters and those who gave their services or time to make this event successful.
The National Motorcycle Museum and Pellier Noir Photography donated a percentage of sales on the night to the charities. Over £4300 was raised from the ‘tops and tails’ and the raffle on the night. Prizes were generously donated by contacts and local businesses namely; John McHale, Jask, CIPP, Mondelez International, Heritage IFA, Hogarths Hotel, the National Conference Centre, DACS, Move Exchange, Birmingham Underwater Exploration Club, The Buddy Bag Foundation and Sydney Mitchell. A special thank you to Andrew Lockington of Avalanche Capital Financier of Properties in Solihull and Warwickshire, who donated a cheque for £1,000 direct to the Buddy Bag Foundation at the event.
Chris Williams, Founder of the Buddy Bag Foundation gave an emotional speech about how the charities help children who are often taken from their homes in the middle of the night following a traumatic event in the home.
Many times children are unable to take any personal belongings with them when taken to a place of safety. The Buddy Bag is designed to give a little comfort during that time and contains a few items like underwear, pyjamas, toiletries, a book, notepad and a cuddly toy or teddy bear.
Anne Hastings, CEO of Age UK Solihull, explained that without the support of local businesses in the community, many of our older people in Solihull would not benefit from the activities currently provided to help improve the wellbeing of those living in the borough.
We are grateful to all present for their support and to Sydney Mitchell for hosting this Charity Ball enabling us to improve and develop the services Age UK Solihull is able to provide across the borough.
Legal 500 Top Tier Law Firm Sydney Mitchell is an award winning Midlands based firm with specialist legal teams that include employment, commercial property, company and commercial services, litigation and insolvency. Private client teams include family law, residential property, dispute resolution, immigration and wills and probate, tax and trusts and personal injury. Sydney Mitchell LLP has been providing legal advice in the Midlands for over 250 years.
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Picture: Karen Moores, Senior Partner, Sydney Mitchell
For further information, please contact:
Linda Heyworth, Senior Marketing Manager
Tel – 0121 746 3300 Mobile: 0777 279 5041
Email – l.heyworth@sydneymitchell.co.uk
Notes to Editor
About Sydney Mitchell:
Midlands based Sydney Mitchell is an award winning ‘Top Tier’ Legal 500 law firm, with offices in Birmingham City Centre, Sheldon and Shirley with additional facilities in Sutton Coldfield. Offering a range of specialist legal services for both businesses and individuals, Sydney Mitchell is Lexcel accredited and won the Law Firm of the Year in 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011 and 2008 (5-15 partners) in the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards.
The firm’s specialist teams include employment, commercial property, company and commercial services, litigation and insolvency. Private client teams include family law, residential property, dispute resolution, immigration and wills and probate, tax and trusts and personal injury. Sydney Mitchell LLP has been providing legal advice in the Midlands for over 250 years.
l.heyworth@sydneymitchell.co.uk @SydneyMitchell_ www.sydneymitchell.co.uk
About the Buddy Bag Foundation
The Buddy Bag Foundation was created in response to the rising number of children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home. The Foundation helps restore a sense of safety and security into a child’s life during a traumatic time. By providing these children with a few essential items, the charity can help make the transition into emergency care a little easier. Over 48000 children require emergency accommodation each year in the UK. Founder Karen Williams launched the Buddy Bag foundation in 2014 after being inspired by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation in Australia.
hello@buddybagfoundation.co.uk www.buddybagfoundation.co.uk @buddybagsuk Charity No. 1164916
Age UK Solihull
Age UK – Solihull provides help and support to older people in the borough of Solihull. The Vision of Age UK Solihull is of a world where older people flourish and our Mission is to improve the lives of all older people in the borough. The Core, Central Library Building, Solihull, B91 3RG
0121 704 7840 info@ageuksolihull.org.uk @ageuksolihull Charity number 1055887
Social Media for our recent fundraising event:
Twitter and LinkedIn - #smcharityball2019
We are all looking forward to the Sydney Mitchell Charity Ball on Friday 22 November 2019, not long to go now.
Follow the event on night on Twitter and Linkedin - #smcharityball2019
The Sydney Mitchell Charity Ball is in aid of the Buddy Bag Foundation and the Age UK Solihull charities and is to be held at the National Conference Centre (also known as the National Motorcycle Museum).
It will be a great night of entertainment with live music from GrooveZoo, 'fun' casino tables plus opportunities to win some fabulous prizes and a little fun entertainment with 'tops and tails'.
TICKETS
Everyone is welcome. Tickets are available individually at £60 plus VAT and also in tables of ten (£600 plus VAT) or twelve (£720 plus VAT) plus Eventbrite fees.
RAFFLE
If you would like to donate a prize for the raffle, receive further information or to reserve your ticket for the event, please call Linda Heyworth or Aniqa Basharit on 0121 746 3300 for more information. (Cheques should be made payable to Sydney Mitchell LLP).
EVENTBRITE BOOKING LINK
HOTELS IN THE AREA
There are many hotels in the local area, however the National Conference Centre own two hotels locally. For anyone wishing to stay overnight The Manor Hotel and the Windmill Village Hotel have given a discounted rate for those attending the charity ball. Please quote Sydney Mitchell Charity Ball when booking to ensure you gain your discount.
The hotels have limited availability for the 22nd November - offer for those attending the event:
- Windmill Village Hotel £95 single £105 Double
- Manor Hotel £129 single £139 Double
Prices include breakfast, service, VAT and carparking... early booking advised.
Please note credit card details will be required when booking to secure your room.
Follow the event on Twitter and Linkedin - hashtag - #smcharityball2019
Read more about our charities...
https://buddybagfoundation.co.uk/
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/solihull/
The Sydney Mitchell LLP professional networking event 'Movers and Shakers' at Purnell's Bistro in Birmingham, held a guess the number raffle at October event in aid of one of the firm's chosen charities Age UK Solihull. The Winner was Paul Sargent from Brewin Dolphin and John Shackleton of Heritage Financial.
Over 50 guests attended the event and as always the food was excellent as always from the chef at Purnells. Guests remarked on the quality of the food and the vibrancy of the event.
All pictures from the event can be seen on the link below.
Sydney Mitchell LLP, Top Tier Legal 500 Law Firm, has been short-listed for 2019 Solihull Chamber of Commerce Awards in the Large Firm of the Year category.
Senior Partner, Karen Moores, commented:
We are proud to see the firm shortlisted for the 2019 Solihull Chamber Business Awards in the Large Firm of the Year Award category.
The partners and staff have worked hard over the years to build the firm to where it is today. We believe we give back to the local communities in supporting local projects and pride ourselves in delivering high quality services to our clients.
We would like to congratulate all of those who have been shortlisted in the Awards and thank the Chamber for their continued support and development in the region.
Sydney Mitchell is a Midlands based award winning law firm, with offices in Birmingham City Centre, Sheldon and Shirley with additional facilities in Sutton Coldfield. Offering a range of specialist legal services for both businesses and individuals, Sydney Mitchell is listed in the Top Tier of the Legal 500, Lexcel accredited and won the Law Firm of the Year (5-15 partners) in the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards in 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011 and 2008.
The firm’s specialist teams include employment, commercial property, company and commercial services, litigation and insolvency. Private client teams include family law, residential property, dispute resolution, immigration, wills and probate, tax and trusts and personal injury.
For more details about the awards …
THE SHORTLIST
Outstanding Large Business of the Year - Sponsored by Jask Creative
Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel
Prime Accountants Group
SG Fleet
Sydney Mitchell LLP
Thursfields
Outstanding Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by Omni Cyber Security
Eric Lyons Fine Food Specialists
Indico Street Kitchen & Bar
Jask Creative
Morgan Parkes Recruitment Ltd
The Marketing Pod
Outstanding Start-Up Business of the Year
JAMAYA
Living Space Housing
Redknows
Vincent BMR Limited
Outstanding Contribution to the Community - Sponsored by Telephone Europe
Hogarths Hotel Solihull
Solihull BID
Solihull Moors
Solihull Specsavers Ltd
Touchwood
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Plum Personnel
Ollie Bethell, Leap IT Ltd
Katie Harrington, KE247 Staffing Solutions
Richard Scott, Solihull School
Sophie Corr, ARUP
Outstanding Young Achiever of the Year - Sponsored by Millennium Point
Joseph Vaughan, 1683 Chocolate Place
Kristiana Briede, Jask Creative
Matt Hartas, The Wilkes Partnership
Oliver Deverall, BNP Paribas Personal Finance
Solihull Business Person of the Year - Sponsored by Western Union
Natalie Taylor Herrick, Taylor Herrick Recruitment
Dr Lorraine Hill, Hampton Clinic
Pawan Kenth, Asha’s Restaurant/Corporate Wear UK
Tony Elvin, Touchwood
Outstanding Charity of the Year
Arrive Alive
Baby Lifeline
Breast Cancer Haven
Get A-Head Charity
Help Harry Help Others
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Over 50 Midlands’ professionals met at Sydney Mitchell’s ‘Movers & Shakers’ Networking Event at Purnell’s Bistro at Ginger’s Bar. Excelling with new delights, Michelin starred restaurateur Glynn Purnell and his highly skilled team delivered tantalising fare.
Sydney Mitchell’s Head of Family, Karen Moores commented:
"Great company and great food from the team at Purnell's; the relaxed relationship buildng event that gives fellow professionals across the city a chance to catch up and build their connections."
The next event is on 6 August 2019.
More pictures from the event - Link
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