Gordons hits a peak or three for new charity of choice

Employees from Yorkshire law firm Gordons conquered the Yorkshire Three Peaks and raised more than £3,200 for Willow Young Carers Service.

The organisation, which offers a support service for young carers aged five-18 years old, has been chosen as the firm’s charity of choice for 2015.

Eighteen Gordons’ employees, many novices to this kind of challenge, took to the hills of Yorkshire on May 30 and completed the trek within nine-and-a-half hours. The Yorkshire Three Peaks include Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, which form part of the Pennine range in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and involves a total climb of 2,142 metres.

Jennifer Herdman and Alice Robinson, both trainee solicitors at Gordons, helped organise the event. Alice said: “It was a fantastic day and everyone successfully completed the challenge, helping to raise more than £3,200 for Willow Young Carers.

“There was a great team spirit which helped to ensure everyone made it to the top of all three peaks and a really good atmosphere at the finish line. There was even talk of our next challenge being the National Three Peaks.”

Each year, Gordons’ staff vote for a charity to support. In 2014 they raised almost £24,000 for The Friends of Alfie Martin, a charity which raises money to buy, improve and maintain neonatal equipment for critically-ill babies in Yorkshire.

This year, Gordons is supporting the Willow Young Carers Service which is part of children’s charity Barnardo’s. Willow Young Carers supports children and young people in Leeds who care for a family member affected by a physical or mental health illness, disability or substance misuse problem.

John Holden, senior partner at Gordons, said: “Willow Young Carers Service offers support to young carers who often miss out on opportunities that other children have due to the demands placed on them. Young carers often never know what it is to have a normal childhood.

“Willow Young Carers Service works hard to support these young people and their family by putting them in touch with local services, sports and health centres, providing advice and emotional support, as well as opportunities to take a break from their caring duties. Gordons is very proud to be supporting the service to help it continue to carry out the exceptional work that it does for children in Leeds.”