MWE London - Winter Appeal

Along with the provision of pro bono legal services to many charities, we are now launching our Winter Appeal to raise funds for three fantastic charities with which we have a close connection:

·       Bow Foodbank, who we assisted last year and who, having seen a staggering increase in client numbers in 2020, are currently urgently fundraising £240,000 to cover their food purchase costs for the early part of next year – without which, they may need to close.

·       Christ Church Primary School on Brick Lane, they had initially reached out to me to help support their efforts to build a new library, but now need support to buy books for borrowing so that their children can catch up on the weeks of school missed during lockdown. In addition, as almost 30% of their children receive Free School Meals, they now have 85 vulnerable children to support. Many do not have enough to eat and so they are running a foodbank in partnership for their families.

·       Bromley Brighter Beginnings, who distribute prams, clothes, highchairs, nappies and toiletries to families in need living in the London Borough of Bromley. Many of the families assisted by Bromley Brighter Beginnings are fleeing domestic violence.

We would like to set a fundraising target of £6,000 to be split equally between the three charities. We will be organising the following fundraising events:

·       The Great McDermott Bake-off! Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a Prue Leith? Could you get a Hollywood handshake? If so then please join us for our great mince pie bake-off. If not, then join us anyway and make us laugh. We suggest a minimum donation of £20 per kit to the Winter Appeal (although feel free to go lower or higher). 

·       The Inaugural McDermott ESports Tournament. You will already have seen Ranajoy’s email setting out the details of the ESports tournament. We suggest a minimum donation of £20 per player to the Winter Appeal but, as before, feel free to go higher or lower. There will be prizes and a trophy for the top player, Ranajoy and Jack will be in touch with further details.

·       Lockdown yoga with Justine. Relax, increase your flexibility and build your strength with our resident yogi Justine who will be running a weekly yoga class from 24 November until Christmas. If you wish to take part in one (or all!) of the classes, please make a donation (however big or small).

·       Auction of Promises. Final bids due during the Christmas party on 17 December. 

·       Lottery. For those short on time or inspiration, all you need to do is buy a ticket, cross your fingers and hope your number comes up. Tickets will be £5 each and prizes will be fabulous.