The company will kick off its support with a donation in March, and its goal is to raise £20,000 over the next 12 months through team initiatives such as sponsored cycle rides.
Founded in 1922, Baron Grey provides trusted advice and legal services to families and businesses throughout Twickenham, Richmond and surrounding areas. The firm employs 12 local people and offers opportunities for law students with training and career development.
Swan Support was formed as a registered charity in 2015 by a group of volunteers with extensive experience in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured swans within the Thames Valley region and surrounding areas. The independent non-profit provides a 24-hour service responding to calls reporting injuries and concerns from the public and organisations such as the police, Highways Agency and the RSPCA. Swan Support is staffed by volunteers and is solely funded by individual donations and supporting businesses. During the pandemic, fundraising events and activities have been severely curtailed.
Baron Grey principal Vincent Hambleton-Grey said, “As part of Twickenham’s history for the last 100 years, we wanted to commemorate our anniversary by giving back to a cause that is close to our hearts, and to the hearts of the people in our local community. Swans are a legally protected species, and they have been present here on the Thames for centuries. These magnificent birds are enjoyed by residents and visitors throughout the year – we often see them from our office, which looks out over the river. The activities carried out by Swan Support in rescuing and releasing swans back to their natural habitat are vital to their long-term welfare, and we are honoured to be able to contribute to this essential work.”
Swan Support trustee Joanne de Nobriga commented, “We are extremely grateful to Vincent and his team for their dedication and help in raising awareness of our organisation. In addition to the adverse effects of the pandemic, this year we have been closely involved in the retrieval of swans and other waterfowl that have sadly perished from avian flu – extending our work as far as Reading, Windsor, Oxford and Newbury. This support from Baron Grey could not come at a more critical time.”
Swan Support has recently been granted planning permission for a purpose-built facility for the rehabilitation of swans, whilst providing a focus for educational outreach to schools and communities. Funds raised will partly contribute to this new build, as well as dedicated equipment to facilitate the charity’s work.
To make a donation to Baron Grey’s fundraising campaign, please visit the company’s JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/baron-grey1
More about Swan Support can be found at: http://www.swansupport.org.uk/
