It was a fantastic sunny day on Monday 25 April for 65 members of the legal profession who embarked on a 10 km challenge and raised funds to support access to justice in Preston. The route took in the lovely sights the city has to offer, including the less well known parts of the city, and the weather was light and breezy, a perfect spring day to walk and raise money for a vital cause.
 
We had a grand total of 4 teams signed up with the biggest team on the day coming from University of Central Lancashire Law School!
 
A big congratulations goes out to Harrison Drury, who topped the fundraising table having raised under £600! This is a huge achievement and we are very grateful to our team who pulled out all the stops to raise as much money as possible to support access to justice.
 
We walk to raise money for charities, such as the PSU which has recently started a branch in Preston, which are often the last resort for people facing difficult and distressing legal circumstances and find themselves unable to pay for private legal advice. The funds raised by the Preston Legal Walk, and the NWLST as a whole, will go to support these charities and more, throughout the region helping thousands of people every year navigate the complicated legal system.

This event was supported by our generous sponsor, the University of Central Lancashire, who sponsored the welcoming finish line reception. It was a perfect end to a great walk and the drinks were very well received by our thirsty walkers. 

The Preston Legal Walk was the first of its kind, raising over £1,080 so far. This is an excellent result for the first year, and we strive to beat this next year. Without your contribution the Preston Legal Walk and the work of the NWLST would not be possible.
 
Please continue to fundraise and ensure that we can help more vital services than ever before.

It was a fantastic sunny day on Monday 16 May for 51 members of the legal profession who embarked on a 10 km challenge and raised funds to support access to justice in Carlisle. The route took in the lovely sights the city has to offer, including the less well known parts of the city, and the weather was bright and sunny, a perfect spring day to walk and raise money for a vital cause.
 
We had a grand total of 9 teams signed up with the biggest teams on the day coming from Paramount Legal Costs and Cumbria Law Centre!

A big congratulations goes out to Cumbria Law Centre, who topped the fundraising table having raised over £765! This is a huge achievement and we are very grateful to our team who pulled out all the stops to raise as much money as possible to support access to justice.
 
We were joined by three charities, Carlisle Foodbank, Citizens Advice Carlisle & Eden, and Cumbria Law Centre. These charities are often the last resort for people facing difficult and distressing legal circumstances and find themselves unable to pay for private legal advice. The funds raised by the Carlisle Legal Walk, and the NWLST as a whole, will go to support these charities and more, throughout the region helping thousands of people every year navigate the complicated legal system.
 
This event was supported by our generous sponsors, Paramount Legal Costs, sponsored the welcoming finish line reception. It was a perfect end to a great walk and the drinks were very well received by our thirsty walkers.
 
The walk has broken all previous records, raising over £1,644 so far. Without your contribution the Carlisle Legal Walk and the work of the NWLST would not be possible.
 
Please continue to fundraise and ensure that we can help more vital services than ever before.

​On Monday 25 April, just over 60 lawyers, advisors and other legal professionals joined forces for a sponsored walk around the riverfront sights of Preston to raise over £1,000 to support free legal advice in Preston and throughout the North West.
 
Under the banner ‘Supporting access to justice in the North West’ 4 teams of walkers from law firms, barristers' chambers as well as the voluntary and advice sector came together to raise funds for the North West Legal Support Trust (NWLST) and other local free legal advice charities. Walkers were joined by Rachel Stevens, a trustee of the North West Legal Support trust.
 
The 10km route took in the lovely river sights the city had to offer, with many walkers remarking they saw a side to the city they hadn’t seen before. The weather was bright and breezy; a perfect spring day to stride out and raise money for a vital cause.
 
Walkers taking part fundraised for the cause by seeking sponsorship and were welcomed with a drink at the finishing line reception, at the Scholar’s Restaurant, gratefully received by thirsty walkers.
 
Alongside some well-deserved refreshments walkers were welcomed back by the lead walkers who spoke about the growing importance of continuing free legal advice and support for the free legal advice sector and individuals who rely on their services.
 
The event is run by the North West Legal Support Trust (NWLST). The NWLST was formed in 2010 to raise and distribute funds to support the provision of free legal advice in Preston and throughout the North West to those who otherwise would not be able to afford it. It is part of a network of Legal Support Trusts, working with the Access to Justice Foundation, to facilitate the access to specialist legal advice for the poorest and most vulnerable people in the community.
 
The organisations supported by the event make a huge difference in the lives of many people. The recent cuts to civil legal aid have not only affected the legal profession, but have also drastically impacted the services provided to members of the public.
 
The Preston Personal Support Unit (PSU) is a local charity which provides a range of free legal advice and support in and around Preston to some of the city’s most vulnerable citizens who often seek their services as a desperate last resort.
 
Cuts to legal aid and local government funding of advice services means charities such as these are fighting to survive. Some organisations have merged, meaning already tight resources are being stretched over greater distances, but more frequently, others have ceased to provide services altogether.
 
A representative from the NWLST said “We are truly delighted that the Preston Legal Walk has had a fantastic first year with people coming out to support access to justice for the most vulnerable and more funds being raised to support the vital services when help these people in their time of need. Thanks to all our walkers, supporters and sponsors the NWLST will be able to make more and larger grants than ever before, ensuring local services benefit from local support.”