IT WAS a twilight treat that led to sore feet and a sense of satisfaction.
Last Wednesday, more than 20 teams from across the greater Reading area came together for the Legal Walk – all 10km (just over six miles).
Starting from Forbury Gardens at 5pm, the event saw 200 walkers enjoy a circular route taking in some of the best scenery Reading has to offer.
Awaiting them on their return was Reading mayor, Cllr Rachel Eden, who welcomed them and posed for pictures as the sun went down.
Organised by The London Legal Support Trust, the event was to raise funds for good causes including Age UK Reading, Citizens Advice Reading, Refugee Support Group and Launchpad.
So far more than £6,800 has been raised by the teams, which will help the charities provide legal advice services for people they support, including refugees.
The event had been scheduled for Monday, September 19, but had been delayed due to the Queen’s funeral.
Reading Refugee Group said that so far this year, they had provided more than 800 refugees with thousands of hours of free legal advice and practical help that they cannot access elsewhere.
This is an increase of more than 460% than 2021, and demand continues to soar with refugees in crisis continuing to arrive from Ukraine, Afghanistan and other parts of the world.
In its fundraising website, the charity noted: “Our Advice Service depends entirely on public donations, so please help us fund this vital service that so many people depend on.”
Launchpad, which helps people with housing issues across the greater Reading area, said that working in partnership with Oxford-based law firm Turpin and Miller LLP, the charity jointly funds access to a solicitor who works with its clients to ensure they are treated lawfully by landlords, local authorities, housing associations and other agencies across Reading.
Launchpad fundraising manager Vicki Lewis completed the walk with nine members of staff and volunteers.
“We set off at 5pm from Forbury Gardens and walked along the River Kennet and River Thames and back through the Thames Valley Park Nature Reserve,” she said.
“We started off at quite a pace, but towards the end I think we were all slowing down. It was a lovely evening and we saw lots of people enjoying the river in canoes and on paddleboards. We were welcomed back to Forbury Gardens by the Mayor of Reading, Rachel Eden.
“We are grateful to London Legal Support Trust, which is an independent charity that raises funds for free legal services in London and the South East, for choosing us as one of their charities to support.”
The London Legal Support Trust shared a post on its social media saying: “It was great to see so many legal teams come together in support of local charities and vital free legal advice agencies in the Reading and Thames Valley area.”
