Contributors
The Leeds office of law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) is joining the COVID-19 emergency response and has pledged thousands of pounds to support the local community.
The firm made a significant donation to Henshaws, a northern charity supporting people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities, helping to reduce social isolation and increase independence through empowering disabled people to go beyond expectations and achieve their ambitions.
Funds have also been made available to support to IDAS, a Yorkshire charity supporting anyone experiencing or affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence. The donation comes at a time when there has been a huge surge in domestic abuse calls during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The firm also donated to the Leeds North and West Foodbank, which is part of The Trussell Trust’s network of 428 foodbanks across the nation, working to tackle food poverty and hunger in local communities.
The donations in Leeds are part of a firm wide COVID-19 emergency response fund set up by WBD to support the organisations that need it the most across the UK. WBD is heavily involved in a comprehensive responsible business programme, supporting a number of charities across its eight UK offices.
Claire Wilkinson, partner and head of responsible business in WBD's Leeds office, commented:
"We pride ourselves on being a good neighbour and care deeply about the impact of our actions on our people, our local community and the environment. These are difficult and challenging times for everyone and it was important for us to step up and help the organisations and charities who are all doing a phenomenal job in the COVID-19 response."
"We are humbled by the fantastic support organisations across Yorkshire are providing to ensure the most vulnerable are looked after and that families struggling to make ends meet can continue to put food on the table."
Gemma Young, major donor and corporate fundraising manager at Henshaws, added:
"We're extremely grateful for WBD's support. The firm's generous donation will help us continue to provide essential care and support to those who may be less resilient to a crisis like this, or those who will find it harder to access everything they need."
