My Story

Thank you for supporting our team in fundraising for the 20th anniversary of the London Legal Walk. We will be walking 10km on Tuesday 18th June to support the most vulnerable in society to access life changing free legal advice.

Our team is: Rose Donnelly, Anna Buttimore, Andy Darnton, Jacqui Roch, Paul Bennett, Elizabeth Rimmer, Amanda Simpson, Claire Rason, Sana N'Awaz, Lucinda Soon, Jayne Willetts, Bronwen Still, Andrew Barker, Alex Aldridge, Samantha Wong, Sophie

We are walking with the Lady Chief Justice and thousands of lawyers to raise funds for the London Legal Support Trust (LLST) and LawCare. Over the last 20 years, by walking together for justice, we have raised an incredible £10.5 million, helping hundreds of thousands of people access justice when they need it most.

The provision of healthy justice relies on healthy lawyers.

LawCare provides mental health support for anyone working within the legal sector in the UK, to ensure they are thriving and able to support their clients to access the quality legal services they need.

We are the only independent, dedicated emotional support service for the sector, providing direct support and information to help legal professionals cope with the demands of life in the law. We provide a helpline (available via phone, email or webchat) and peer support service, where trained staff and volunteers who have first-hand experience of working in the law offer a safe and confidential place for legal professionals to talk without judgement. We work with legal educators, regulators, professional bodies, special interest groups and legal practices to improve the culture in law, to encourage healthy legal workplaces that support mental wellbeing and challenge the stigma that can make it hard for some to seek help. 

We are striving for a legal profession where people thrive. We know that our services have a real impact:

• 94% of people who accessed our direct mental health support felt that LawCare benefitted them or helped to improve their situation.
• 3 months after accessing LawCare’s direct mental health support, respondents’ average  self-assessed positivity score had increased from 2/10 to 8/10.
• 98% would recommend LawCare’s support to others.

However, demand for our services is ever-increasing, and we are receiving more and more calls each year. We need to raise more funds so that we are able to continue providing our vital service.

The funding gap for legal advice has nearly doubled to over £30 million in the UK and free legal advice providers are at breaking point with the growing need from their clients. Many people cannot afford legal help and without more being done, they will go without justice when they need it most. 

In London, 25% of people are living in poverty after housing costs. This can have a devastating effect on people like Toni. 

Toni was self-employed in the hospitality industry. Then when Covid-19 hit, he was no longer able to work. As a result of this he was evicted from his private property along with his 3 children, ending up in temporary accommodation. The benefit cap could not be calculated accurately and left him struggling to pay for essentials and at risk of falling behind on rent. When he got in contact with one of our Centres of Excellence, they went through his entitlements and outgoings with a fine-tooth comb and found that he was having multiple incorrect deductions from his Universal Credit, directly leading to this impossible situation. The advice agency took on his case, had the correct benefits restored and helped him find appropriate accommodation until he was able to get back on his feet.

With the ongoing cost of living crisis, your support is needed more than ever. Please sponsor our walkers as generously as you are able.

Many thanks for your support.