Olswang chooses children’s charity Coram as Partner for the second year running
Olswang, one of Europe's leading law firms, is delighted to announce its continued support for the UK's first children's charity, Coram. After a tremendous year of innovative collaboration, the firm will be continuing its relationship with Coram having selected it as Olswang's charity partner for the second year running.
As a business that forges close ties with the communities it operates within, Olswang has committed to supporting 70 vulnerable children in the local London community, who have each experienced difficult beginnings in life. Through fundraising in partnership, Coram intends to provide loving families and a secure future for the children it supports. This includes finding parents for 30 children in care who urgently need adopting, providing a lifetime of support to 10 adopted children and helping 20 children through music therapy.
To date, Olswang's charity partnership with Coram has witnessed a range of activities spanning staff volunteering, pro-bono legal advice and fundraising initiatives. Highlights include O-Jam, a fundraising concert organised by Olswang staff in Coram’s central London garden. Featuring Olswang's own amateur rockers, the event raised over £5000 and drew inspiration from Coram’s very first fundraising concert which was organised by Handel over 250 years ago. Another highlight includes a challenging bike ride in October from Paris to Geneva in which Team Olswang-Coram battled over 300 miles of French mountains with punctures and some nasty injuries to complete the course, exceeding sponsorship targets and raising over £17,000.
Olswang also drew inspiration from Coram's heritage of art patronage, through the creation of the Olswang's Art Award. Olswang invited sixth form art and photography students from its partner school, Haverstock, to create work inspired by Coram that could be exhibited in the firm's offices and then auctioned to support Coram and the school’s art department. What resulted were some truly impressive works of art that have been admired and judged by Coram staff together with Olswang’s VIP clients, including artists and designers, with the winning student receiving a prize of specialist art materials for future masterpieces.
Linda Zell, Olswang’s Head of Corporate Responsibility, outlines:
“Olswang is a firm renowned for its cutting edge and pioneering approach. Partnering with a charity that champions innovation is a natural synergy for us and one that we are proud to continue. Coram's commitment to supporting the communities in which Olswang operates and helping children right on our doorstep makes them an ideal partner for our business. We have found them a pleasure to work with over the past year and look forward to even greater successes together over the year ahead.”
David Steadman, Commercial Director at Coram, added: “We are delighted that this partnership has been extended for another year. This is a model of a truly integrated sustainable Corporate Responsibility partnership, and we look forward to working together to help children in the future. To date, Olswang has raised approximately £60,000 for Coram. The combination of financial support to change local children’s lives, volunteering, skills sharing and integration with other community partners has created a true Corporate Responsibility partnership. ”
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Notes to editors:
Coram (www.coram.org.uk), the UK’s first children’s charity, has been creating better chances for children since 1739. Established by Thomas Coram as the Foundling Hospital in Bloomsbury, a home for abandoned children dying on London’s streets, Coram has developed a range of programmes that tackle separation and loss and restore hope for the children of tomorrow. Coram gives practical and emotional help to more than 15,000 vulnerable children, young people and families every year, and reaches over 800,000 children in 4,000 primary schools per year nationwide through Coram Life Education, giving pupils skills and courage to take responsibility for their own lives.
Olswang LLP is one of Europe’s leading law firms in the areas of technology, media, telecommunications and real estate. The firm comprises of nearly 700 people including 100 partners, across six European offices. Olswang is partnered with US technology focused law firm Cooley, and is part of a 'best friends' network of leading independent law firms throughout the world.
The Sunday Times Best Green Companies 2010
The Law Society Award for Excellence in Environmental Responsibility 2010
Taxation Team of the Year 2010 – Taxation Awards
TMT Team of the Year 2010- The Lawyer Awards
Corporate Team of the Year 2010 – The Lawyer Awards
For more information or to set up an interview please contact : -
Coram
Zimena Percival, PR & Corporate Consultant, on 020 7 520 0336 or zimena@coram.org.uk
Olswang
Lily Cabianca, Media & Communications Manager on 020 7067 3009
Carolyn Finn, Media & Communications Officer on 020 7067 3046
Marketing & Communications Officer
dd: 020 7520 0427
mob: 07949 561891