Shoosmiths Martin House Children's Hospice Partnership

Over 2023 and the start of 2024, the Leeds office have embarked on a series of challenging and creative fundraising activities, amassing an impressive total of £32,493.19 for Martin House Children’s Hospice.

By way of background, Martin House Children’s Hospice are a local charity based in Wetherby, who provide invaluable family-led support to children and young people with life-limiting illnesses. Specifically, the fundraising from the Shoosmiths Leeds office will go help fund bereavement services provided to families of children affected by such life-shortening conditions.

This is the second year-long partnership with Martin House Children’s Hospice, with an earlier partnership taking place over 2018 and 2019, as the office were so moved by the crucial support that the hospice provides to children, young people and their families across Yorkshire.

This past year, the Leeds office has organised a range of events: some smaller events (such as raffles and cakes sales) and some more adventurous and competitive.  This started within an inflatable 5K run (on a very hot day!) at Harewood House and led to a dragon boat race at Roundhay Park where the team were crowned best dressed team, and contributed towards Martin House Children’s Hospice raising over £90,000 on the day.

The most challenging activity of all was a gruelling 28-mile walk from Scarborough to Whitby along the Cleveland way, where the team's endurance and camaraderie were tested along the scenic route, and the team raised an impressive £14,777.45! During the 12 hour walk, our 29 walkers fought off 40mph winds and ankle-deep mud, motivated by the knowledge that their efforts were helping raise such important funds… and also a healthy portion of fish and chips awaiting in Whitby!

In addition to the fundraising efforts, the team has dedicated their time to volunteer at Martin House Children’s Hospice and, over the 11 months, ten individuals assisted in the warehouse, maintained the gardens and set up Christmas trees to try and spread Christmas cheer for the children spending their Christmas at the hospice.

Victoria Coltman, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Martin House commented: “We’re extremely grateful to Shoosmiths, they have been a fantastic Corporate Partner for Martin House. The entire Leeds office got behind the cause with so much enthusiasm and this has resulted in them raising such a great amount of money. The funds raised over the past 11 months could pay for a Martin House care team member for one year, enabling them to give specialist one-to-one care to a child or young person, as well as funding a specialist bed, which allows a child or young person to have a good night’s sleep when they stay at the hospice. We can’t thank the Shoosmiths Leeds office enough!”

The Leeds office would like to extend a massive thanks to all our generous clients, friends, families and colleagues for supporting us to raise over £32,000 for such an impressive charity. We would also like to give a special shout out to Victoria Coltman, Head of Corporate Partnerships, and the entire team at Martin House Children’s Hospice for being such a great charity to work with. Thank you all!