Food glorious food: Ellis Jones’ Managing Partner Nigel Smith with (left to right) Annie James, Simon Beetham, Mark Stutter, Bethanie Watson and some of the items donated to Bournemouth Foodbank.
Big-hearted staff at a Dorset law firm have donated 102 kilograms (16 stone) of items to Bournemouth Foodbank.
For the third year running, Ellis Jones Solicitors took part in a campaign by the Bournemouth and District Junior Lawyers Division (JLD).
Its offices in Canford Cliffs and Bournemouth collected a grand total of 102.05 kilograms of food during the first two months of 2016.
Eight other JLD member firms are also taking it in turns to collect food and other items each month between now and December.
Last year’s campaign resulted in more than 530 kilograms (83 stone) of food being collected by JLD firms.
The aim is to ensure the foodbank receives a steady flow of donations throughout the year rather than the customary surges at Christmas and harvest time.
Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones’ Managing Partner, said: “Our team collected 75 kilograms, or just under 12 stone of food, in 2015. To increase this figure by some 45 per cent this year is a fantastic achievement.”
According to latest figures, Bournemouth Foodbank provided 25 tonnes of food to just under 8,000 people in 2013/14.
Only care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, Citizens Advice, police and charities registered with the Foodbank identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.
Six trainee solicitors at Ellis Jones are members of the Junior Lawyers Division together with the firm’s newly qualified solicitors.
Note to journalists: Ellis Jones is one of the largest law firms in Dorset and West Hampshire with 120 staff including 11 partners. It has offices in Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs (Poole), Ringwood, Swanage and London offering a wide range of services to individuals and businesses.
For more details, please contact: Andrew Diprose, Director, Deep South Media Ltd, on 01202 534487.
