Written By Jack J Collins, Editor of AllAboutLaw.co.uk

Penningtons Manches launches foundation charity

Written By Jack J Collins, Editor of AllAboutLaw.co.uk

The National law firm Penningtons Manches last night announced the launch of it's Charitable Foundation, which has been set up in order to provide structure and direction for the firm's donating and pro bono work in the future.

The foundation is set to choose a core project each year to prioritise, and then work around that topic in conjunction with the firm, in order to try and streamline their policy of charitable work. The first core project will focus on human trafficking and modern slavery.

At the launch event, the firm welcomes the

Leading law firm Penningtons Manches last night launched the Penningtons Manches Charitable Foundation at an official reception attended by nearly 200 guests. Established to bring structure and focus to the firm’s charitable giving and pro bono work, the foundation will prioritise a core project every year with the first being human trafficking and modern slavery.

The firm was delighted to welcome two prominent speakers in the field to the event, with the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland OBE joined by prominent journalist and broadcaster Julie Etchingham.

There was also an announcement about the partners that the law firm would be working with over the course of the year, all of which are committed to vital work in stopping the trade and supporting the victims of human trafficking: The Anti-Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU); Caritas Bakhita House; Helen Bamber Foundation; Human Trafficking Foundation; St. Mungo’s and The Passage.

Kevin Hyland OBE said: “Victims of trafficking could be just around the corner from where we are standing right now. Traffickers and slave drivers are illegally committing innocent lives to exploitation and abuse, forcing them to endure experiences that are horrifying in their inhumanity.

"More than 200 years ago William Wilberforce led Britain in the fight against slavery; today we find ourselves fighting its modern face. The UK is leading the way in the fight against this terrible practice and I’m delighted that the Penningtons Manches Charitable Foundation is dedicating resource and expertise to support some great organisations working to help victims.”

Julie Etchingham, who has led a number of investigations and reports into slavery and trafficking, in particular highlighting the human trade routes coming out of Nigeria, told attendees: “Once you’ve heard just one story of a trafficking victim, you can’t look away.”

She described some of the victims she has met through her work, including women who have been tricked into prostitution, have had their passports taken away and income confiscated. She commented: “Focused initiatives such as the projects the Penningtons Manches Charitable Foundation will support alongside its partner organisations, are invaluable in allowing more people to both see and hear victims.”

The objectives of the foundation were set out at the event too. These will be, first and foremost: the support of society's most vulnerable people; educational projects in schools and the community; and general increased charitable work.

Outside of the centralised programme, there will also be room to explore initiatives that will positively impact the communities that the firm's staff belong to. Each of Penningtons Manches UK offices (London, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Oxford, Guildford and Reading) will have the power to select a number of localised initiatives which will complement the programme as a whole.

Gillian Rivers, chair of the Penningtons Manches Charitable Foundation, said: “We are so delighted to launch the foundation following many months of planning. We are incredibly grateful to Kevin and Julie for sharing their insight into this vile and pervasive affliction whose victims suffer in silence. We are honoured to be supporting six fantastic organisations and look forward to making a meaningful contribution to their work.”

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