It was the perfect autumn evening on Monday 3 October, when over 90 members of the legal profession embarked on a 10km challenge to raise funds in support of access to justice in the South West. Walkers followed the route which meandered across several parks and through the town’s sights, giving them the perfect opportunity to enjoy a lovely evening whilst showing their support for local legal advice services.
 
We had a grand total of 13 teams sign up with the biggest team coming from Citizens Advice Plymouth.
 
A big congratulations also goes out to Blight Skinnard Solicitors, who are topping the fundraising table at the moment, raising over £500, with Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support closely behind, with over £400. This is a huge achievement and we are very grateful to these teams for pulling out all the stops to raise as much money as possible to support access to justice.
 
We had several charities who joined the walk in order to fundraise for their organisation, including Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support, the Bar Pro Bono Unit, the CAB and CASS+. Free legal advice services are often the last resort for local people facing difficult and distressing legal circumstances without the means to pay for private legal advice. The funds raised by the Plymouth Legal Walk, and the SWLST as a whole, will go to support these four charities in the incredible services which they provide, as well as other organisations that work throughout the region and help thousands of people every year navigate the complicated legal system.
 
The walk has broken all previous records, raising over £1,300 so far. Without your contribution the Plymouth Legal Walk, the work of the SWLST would not be possible.
 
Please continue to fundraise and ensure that we can help more vital services than ever before.

The Great Legal Quiz cannot come fast enough and as the days speed by, the number of quizzers continues to grow! We currently have 1 team in the South West of England committed to quizzing to support local advice agencies in their mission to ensure access to justice for all, but they can’t do it alone!
 
The Quiz is completely self-run: we supply the questions and advertisement posters, all you need to do Is sign up and prepare to get quizzing!
                                                                                                                    
Are you an advice organisation and not too sure about signing up? As an advice organisation, you are able to use the Great Legal Quiz to fundraise 100% for your own organisation. Alternatively, if you are not an advice organisation, you can choose to split the funds, 50% for the SWLST and 50% to the charity of your choice!
 
Please do spread the word and get as many people involved as possible! The questions will not be law-focused so anyone with any general knowledge is invited to participate!

It was the perfect autumn evening on Monday 26 September, when over 259 members of the legal profession embarked on a 10km challenge to raise funds in support of access to justice in Bristol and the South West. Walkers followed the route which followed the River Avon, giving them the perfect opportunity to enjoy a lovely, sunny evening whilst showing their support for local legal advice services.
 
We had a grand total of 51 teams sign up with the biggest team on the day coming from Bristol CAB. 
 
A big congratulations also goes out to Bristol CAB, who topped the fundraising table, each raising over £1,410. This is a huge achievement and we are very grateful to this team for pulling out all the stops to raise as much money as possible to support access to justice.
 
Free legal advice services are often the last resort for local people facing difficult and distressing legal circumstances without the means to pay for private legal advice. The funds raised by the Bristol Legal Walk, and the SWLST as a whole will support organisations that work throughout the region and help thousands of people every year navigate the complicated legal system.
 
This event was kindly sponsored by bSquared Costs Law and Irwin Mitchell. It was also supported by the Bristol Law Society.
 
The walk has broken all previous records, raising over £11,790 so far. Without your contribution the Bristol Legal Walk, the work of the SWLST would not be possible.
 
Please continue to fundraise and ensure that we can help more vital services than ever before.

We are really excited about the Great Legal Quiz coming up in just over one month on Wednesday 9 November. We already have 30 teams signed up for the self-run, nationwide quiz, all ready to raise funds to support access to advice for all as part of National Pro Bono Week. We will supply the questions, and posters for you to use to advertise your quiz night wherever you want; in a local pub, your office, the charity where you volunteer, or just at home- all you need to do is sign up!
 
If you were hoping to take part on behalf of a charity, you also have the option to use the Great Legal Quiz to fundraise 100% for the charity of your choice, or split the funds you raise 50% with the South West Legal Support Trust!
 
The South West Legal Support Trust was established to support the provision of free legal advice in Bristol and the South West in 2010 and the Great Legal Quiz is an important part of our fundraising activities. The organisations we support make a huge difference to the lives of many people, supporting the most vulnerable by funding organisations such as Avon & Bristol Law Centre, Bournemouth & Poole Pro Bono and Refugee Action, Bristol. Since the recent cuts to legal aid have come into force, the number of Law Centres has decreased by 20%, and reduced household income for many working families has increased demand for free access to specialist legal advice. It is more important than ever that the poorest and most vulnerable people in our community have access to such support.
 
We would like to get as many people involved as possible, so gather your co-workers, friends and family (you don’t need a legal brain to participate) to join us for an evening of quizzing and fun while raising vital funds for legal advice agencies!