Festive singing was brought to Cheltenham College Chapel last Thursday when we partnered with our chosen charity of the year to stage a candlelit carol concert.
More than 250 clients, connections and friends of the firm supported The Nelson Trust by raising in excess of £1,700 for the local charity during the evening.
James Grigg, family partner who heads up our charity committee, welcomed everyone and guests sang a mixture of popular Christmas carols led by local choir, Severn’s Eight.
Lawyers Nick Southwell and Paul Gordon read seasonal poems and the Nelson Trust’s chair of trustees, Ann Buxton, told the story of the charity and the valuable work it does to bring self-belief, hope and long term recovery to individuals and families affected by addiction.
Bridget Redmond, managing partner at Willans, commented:
“It was wonderful to get together with colleagues, clients and friends of the firm to celebrate the festive season in such beautiful surroundings. Giving our support to a different local charity each year is a great way for us to engage with and support the local community – something that is very important to us as a firm. We’re delighted to be supporting the Nelson Trust this year. Our Christmas carol concert is a fitting time to pause and think about those who are struggling against adversity in their lives, and those who do such amazing work to help them”.
Guests mingled afterwards over mulled wine and mince pies made by The Hub Bistro, run by people in recovery and their supporters.
Chair of trustees at The Nelson Trust, Ann Buxton, said:
“We are delighted to have the support, encouragement and commitment of such a prestigious law firm. Willans has ensured that we are now more than ever able to provide abstinence-based treatment for so many vulnerable people and to bring vital awareness of our work locally and nationally.”
We pledged our fundraising support to The Nelson Trust earlier this year and prior to the concert had already raised over £1,000 through a pool tournament and a Christmas raffle.
Thank you to The Nelson Trust, The Hub Bistro, Cheltenham College, Severn’s Eight choir, Steven Wise Photography for helping with the evening.
Thank you to the many businesses who supported the fundraiser evening. Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, Avon Valley Railway, Bath Racecourse, Berkeley Castle and Butterfly House, Bibury Trout Farm, Birdland, Blushes, Cheltenham Brickhampton Court Golf, Broome Manor Golf, Caroline Charles London, Cheltenham Cricket Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham Town Football Club, Clearwell Caves Museum, Dean Forest Railway, Dean Heritage Centre, Dick Whittington Farm Park, Duchess Theatre (West End), Fitness First, Foodworks Cookery School, Great Western Railway, Hardwicke & Quedgeley Chiropractic Clinic, Highfield Garden World, Malmaison, Minchinhampton Golf Club, Morrisons, Puzzlewood, Revolve Studios, Slimbridge Wetlands Centre, Stonehouse Court Hotel, Stuart Holmes salon, The Bell Inn Selsley, The International Centre for Birds of Prey, The Link Centre, The Warehouse Climbing Centre, Three Choirs Vineyard (Newent), Venture, Waitrose, Warwick Racecourse, West Midland Safari Park, Westonbirt National Arboretum, Wincanton Racecourse, Worcester Racecourse, Worcestershire Golf Club and Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo/The Amazing Hedge Puzzle/Wye Valley Miniature Golf/Wye Valley Laser ops.
