Fletchers Solicitors, one of the UK’s leading medical negligence and serious injury law firm, has raised almost £1,000 for Big Change Manchester to support the city’s homeless community.
20 members of the Manchester-based team headed to Salford’s Helly Hanson Watersports Centre to take part in the Salford Dragon Boat Race on Saturday 19 May to raise money for the worthy cause.
Nineteen teams competed against one another, with the winning team, Robbo Dingy Rapids, topping the league table with an impressive finishing time of 53 seconds. Fletchers Solicitors didn’t manage to dominate the waters on the day, finishing in a respectable 14th position.
The £920 raised by the Fletchers team will be used to help fund the Big Change services and ensure that those living on the streets or in temporary accommodation continue to receive the necessary support they need.
The firm, which has offices based in Manchester and Southport, pledged to support the charity after becoming concerned by the sharp rise in homelessness in Manchester.
Recent figures released earlier this year show that homelessness in the Greater Manchester area has rocketed 13-fold since 2010.
Over the next year, all fundraising efforts made by staff members located at the Manchester office will be dedicated to Big Change.
Emma Semwayo, captain of the Fletchers Solicitors race team, said: “Since we opened our Manchester office last year, we have been raising money for Big Change to help the homeless population of Manchester. This is an issue close to all our hearts, as each day we see the plight of the homeless in Manchester and we often feel powerless to help. The charity’s philosophy fits in perfectly with our own values, and its work makes a real difference to many people’s lives.
“While some of the our Manchester-based team do volunteer with outreach charities, this is not something everyone can commit to. This is why it was so special to be able to come together to raise money for a good cause at this fantastic event, which gave teams with all levels of experience the chance to race in glorious sunshine. We would like to thank all our sponsors, the organisers and all the team members who gave up a Sunday to row their hearts out and made this such a fun day.”
