Working with disabled children, young people and their families

KIDS is delighted to be the 2008/09 Charity Partner of Southwark based Law Firm, Lawrence Graham LLP (LG).  In announcing the new partnership, Bill Richards, Partner at LG said:

‘The staff at LG have voiced their strong support for the excellent work undertaken by the team at KIDS. Their unique programmes and services for disabled children and young people, as well as their families, struck us as important and ambitious work. We're excited to be working with KIDS and hope that our contribution over the coming year can help to make a real difference to the many children and families whom we hope to meet and work with ourselves.’ 

On receiving the news that KIDS had been selected, KIDS Chief Executive, Kevin Williams said:  ‘Knowing that we have the support of LG is a huge boost to KIDS’ continuing work with Disabled children, young people and their families as we help to provide a happy childhood and brighter future for each and every Disabled child and young person.  On behalf of everyone at KIDS, a big thank you to all the staff at LG, we look forward to working together in the exciting year ahead.’

LG’s fundraising has got off to a flying start.  We were delighted that LG team ‘3 The Speedos’ couldn’t wait to get going with raising some funds and made a head start by taking part in the 2008 Mazda London Triathlon in August.  Since then LG staff have been fundraising non-stop for KIDS, holding Book Sales and signing up to run the 5K Santa Run on 7^th December.  To sponsor the LG Team in this festive pursuit, click here.  One member of staff even defended his British Championship Lightweight Karate title in aid of KIDS.

KIDS is also thrilled that Restaurant Associates, which manages and runs the catering and hospitality for LG, has chosen to donate the cash prize from the ‘Lifestyle Award’ it recently won for its good Corporate Social Responsibility and innovation on site.  In addition to this, the RA team are also supporting our ‘Healthy and Active Kids’ projects by arranging trips for the children to go cherry picking with the firm in summer and to visit a farm in Gloucestershire.

All monies raised by LG will be used to fund the recruitment of a new therapist at KIDS’ Hydrotherapy Pool at Adventure Play Hackney. 

In addition, KIDS is delighted that the firm’s partners chose to support a new professional-style Football Pitch at the bottom of KIDS’ Hayward Adventure Playground at Caledonian Road.  This is a facility that was desperately needed by the Playground as the area used to be often water logged in bad weather meaning the children were unable to play in the space.  Thanks to LG, since the beginning of November, the space is now fully covered in Astroturf with professional football pitch markings, the drainage problems are mended and Hayward is also the proud owner of two professional goalposts to boot.  With bad winter weather fast approaching, the children are thrilled to bits that they now have a real football pitch to enjoy all year round.

We look forward to updating you on all LG's fundraising efforts and how staff are getting involved further with KIDS' work as the year progresses. 

LG staff Volunteer for KIDS

KIDS’ Hayward Adventure Playground was the lucky recipient of LG staff volunteering their time and effort at the site for two days in September.  Taking place after the Summer Holiday Playscheme, this was no mean feat and staff were excited to be getting truly stuck in outdoors in the very autumnal British weather!

Thanks to the two LG teams, Hayward is now much brighter and fresher and looks like a completely different playground.  The outdoor adventure equipment has all been freshly painted and the basketball court has a new backboard and bright new lines.  The bike storage area was totally cleared and made free of broken bikes while the playground is now the proud owner of two raised sensory beds with various brightly coloured and strong smelling plants for the children to enjoy.  And that’s just the outside!  The indoor play centre is also looking bright, clean and new; thanks to the efforts of the team, with a fresh coat of paint on all the walls and bathrooms, the Laundry Room re-ordered, the kitchen deep-cleaned and all the shutters repaired.  It goes without saying that the children were all thrilled to bits when they returned to the playground when the Autumn term began.

For more information on how your company can get involved with KIDS, call 020 7359 3635 or email companies@kids.org.uk