Our Social Impact
Taking real steps to support our charity partners
Beautiful paths, magnificent views and charming villages were all mapped out for the teams taking part in the Wolds Walk, our signature fundraising challenge for the Foundation and its charity partners this year.
The event involved a number of teams representing Charles Russell Speechlys offices across the country, along with charity partners, friends and families of staff, each taking on a leg of the 102-mile Cotswold Way – a journey that would take a usual walker a week or more. The aim: to complete the entire route in one day and raise much needed funds and awareness for the charity partners and the vital work they do.
For Helen Hutton, Partner in Planning and Environment and Chair of the London Community Investment Committee, the challenge was becoming an event planner – from the first discussion of the idea several years ago, right up until the walkers set off in early September. Her home, near Painswick, is at the heart of the Way, so it became headquarters and host for a relaxed weekend that featured overnight camping, informal games, supper for nearly 100 attendees and wonderful live music – courtesy of Roger Elford, Partner in our Guildford office, and his Band the Flailing Pits.
The Saturday saw the hard work, with several groups managing to conquer more than 14 miles. David Savage, Partner in the Construction and Engineering team, and his wife Natalie, topped the chart by walking over 16 miles. Some people chose to run their route: Senior Associates Julie Sharpe and Felicity Chapman ran a total of 11.2 miles and finished their challenge by noon. Later, a lively after-party gave everyone involved a chance to come together in the garden of Helen’s home and celebrate the first signature fundraiser for the Foundation.
While raising money was vital, says Helen, especially with charity giving down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event did just as much to raise spirits as it did to raise pounds. “The event really had a dual purpose – supporting our partner charities, yes, but also putting everyone together again and having fun. Shaking off all the tricky times of the past 18 months and the difficulties that we have been through. There was a real sense of delight at being able to see each other in person and excitement about doing something positive.”
“The event really had a dual purpose – supporting our partner charities, yes, but also putting everyone together again and having fun. There was a real sense of delight at being able to see each other in person and excitement about doing something positive”
– Helen Hutton, Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys
102 miles
were covered by our teams in total over one day.
60+
walkers representing Charles Russell Speechlys took part in the event.
£25,000
Our fundraising target for this event.
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