Law firm announces partnership with children's charity

Law firm Gordons has selected Harehills-based children’s charity CATCH (Community Action To Create Hope) as its charity partner for the next 12 months.

The charity provides valuable mentorship and a positive community for more than 1,000 local young people. It undertakes activity to enable those young people to reach their full potential and facilitates social mobility by providing them with access to the tools and resources needed to do so.

Gordons has long been a champion of social mobility, having pioneered the first legal apprenticeship scheme of its kind in 2011, so its partnership with CATCH is a natural fit for the firm.

The apprenticeship scheme’s objective, both then and now, is to provide bright young people with the right attitude access to a career in law irrespective of their background.

Gordons colleagues are already working closely with CATCH and this has included the firm’s apprentices and trainees attending youth evening events. In addition, the firm is organising fundraising activities throughout the year including bake sales and a team running in the Leeds 10K in June.

Commenting on the partnership, CATCH’s James Pearson said “Both organisations are like-minded and opportunity-focused, promoting the values of Gordons while driving the ambition of CATCH.

“Our partnership is opening new doors for young people and allowing aspiring lawyers to get an insight into real legal career pathways.”

Each year, Gordons’ colleagues select a charity to work with and over the past 10 years, the firm has raised more than £185,000 for its chosen charities.

These have included Bowel Cancer UK, women’s charity Smart Works Leeds, homelessness charity Centrepoint Bradford, national children’s charity KidsOut and The Friends of Alfie Martin, amongst others.

Gordons partner and charity committee lead, Sarah Ratcliffe, said: “Every day, the CATCH team provides young people with a safe space where they can engage with their wider community, have access to role models and learn practical skills and knowledge to set them up for the future.

“Gordons’ ongoing commitment to further enabling social mobility for young people complements the excellent work CATCH is doing.

“Our relationship has got off to a great start and we are looking forward to building on that over the next 12 months.”