Norwich colleagues rally behind Norwich Foodbank

Supporting local communities is at the heart of HCR Law’s approach to corporate social responsibility. In Norwich, colleagues have embraced that commitment through an ongoing partnership with Norwich Foodbank, helping make a practical difference to people facing hardship across the region.

Through volunteering, fundraising and collecting essential supplies, the team has worked together to support local families and individuals in need.

Over the past year, colleagues have contributed in a variety of ways, providing both immediate assistance and longer-term support.

One of the most visible initiatives has been regular food collections. The office supported Norwich Foodbank’s Harvest Appeal in October, followed by a Reverse Advent Calendar campaign in November and December, encouraging colleagues to donate an item each day rather than receive one. Donations included food, toiletries, household items and other essentials requested by the Foodbank.

The generosity of colleagues has resulted in significant donations. To date, the Norwich team has delivered five carloads of food and essential supplies to the Norwich Foodbank warehouse. Contributions have come from in-office collections, seasonal campaigns and generous donations from guests attending the office’s recent charity padel event.

Alongside donations, colleagues have volunteered their time at Norwich Foodbank collection initiatives in local supermarkets. Since November, Rebecca Broom, Sophie Key, Harriet Chaplin, Lauren Ward, Emma Keen and Molly Blyth have contributed a combined 22 hours at Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s stores. By supporting these food drives, the team has helped generate donations, raise awareness of food insecurity and increase understanding of the Foodbank’s work across Norfolk.

The partnership reached another milestone on 23 September when 12 HCR colleagues volunteered at the Norwich Foodbank warehouse across three two-hour sessions. Supporting the Foodbank’s annual stocktake, volunteers sorted donations, weighed and organised stock, and helped prepare food parcels ready for distribution to people in need across the region.

Combined with the supermarket food drive initiatives, colleagues have now contributed a total of 50 volunteer hours in support of Norwich Foodbank.

Fundraising has also played an important role in the partnership. Through a combination of office initiatives, events and community fundraising activities, the Norwich team has raised £2,905 for Norwich Foodbank.

The office charity committee launched a charity tuck shop in February, which had raised £280 by mid-August, with further funds collected since then. Other fundraising activities have included a baby photo competition, which raised £115, a World Cup sweepstake organised by Lois Robinson Stanley, which raised £120, and a Match the Pet to the Colleague competition, which raised £60.

In June, colleagues took their fundraising efforts into the local community by running a stall at the Arminghall Car Boot Sale. Following a second sale in September, Rebecca Broom and colleagues have now raised a combined £292.54 through the initiative.

The team’s recent charity padel tournament proved to be its most successful fundraising activity of the year, raising £1,500 through entry fees and a further £342 through bake sale and pick-and-mix purchases.

The fundraising total was also boosted by a generous £250 donation from Countrywide Legal Indemnities, neighbours of the Norwich office.

The team’s support for Norwich Foodbank continues through regular food collections, volunteering opportunities and fundraising activities. By combining practical support, fundraising and employee volunteering, colleagues have made a meaningful contribution to an organisation that continues to provide essential support to people across Norfolk.