Law firm gets a move on for its latest challenge

A Yorkshire law firm is warming up ahead of its latest challenge that aims to get all of its 15 branches and over 100 employees on the move.

Leeds-based law firm Ison Harrison has launched the Yorkshire Law Firm Challenge which encourages staff from its Yorkshire branches to clock up the miles as well as raise funds for five charitable causes. In addition to the fitness drive, the firm is also partnering with Welcome to Yorkshire on their ‘Walkshire’ initiative which was launched in January.

The firm is an official partner for Walkshire - a walking campaign around the entire Yorkshire region aimed at groups, individuals and families to encourage the physical and mental health benefits of walking as both a recreational activity and whilst at work.

As part of its support of Walkshire, Ison Harrison is sponsoring a Yorkshire walk every month for the rest of the year. The walking routes have been created to be located close to one or more of Ison Harrison’s 15 regional branches.

The chosen charities that will benefit from the Yorkshire Law Firm Challenge are Barnsley Hospice, Prince of Wales Hospice, Little Hiccups, Erb’s Palsy Group and Inquest.

The aim is to raise a minimum of £3,000 by amassing as many miles as possible between February and December.

Ison Harrison staff can choose whatever form of exercise they want to participate in the challenge and log their miles on a fitness app which will total up the distances covered throughout the year.

The firm is starting the Yorkshire Law Firm Campaign in Pontefract, which is home to one of its charities – The Prince of Wales Hospice. Ison Harrison also has offices in Pontefract and nearby Castleford. Staff from both offices will be working closely with the hospice to help raise additional funds following the walking challenge.

Jonathan Wearing, managing partner commented: “Our appetite to launch this campaign is twofold. One is to help promote active living to look after the physical and mental wellbeing of our workforce; the other is to raise money for some fantastic charities and organisations which we have a great relationship with.

“Yorkshire is home to some of the most inspiring walks and countryside routes in the UK and our network of offices is ideally placed for us to throw our collective support behind the campaign. We see this as being a positive experience for our valued employees during a very challenging time, coupled with the opportunity to provide badly needed financial support to some of our favourite charities.

“Community involvement has been a major driver for us over the past 40 years and will continue to be in the future. Over the years we have supported so many charities and being actively involved in the communities where we are based is an important part of what we do.”

Chris Powell, head of commercial at Welcome to Yorkshire added: “We are aiming to make Yorkshire the destination for walking in the UK by shouting about walks for all ages, abilities, locations and communities. Walkshire is our annual campaign that will reflect the variety of walking activity that the county has to offer and to have the support of Ison Harrison as the Yorkshire law firm will help us to achieve this. In adding their own twist to their involvement with the initiative, this not only provides a huge boost to team morale but also helps raise funds to benefit a number of the region’s charities.”

In 2018, Ison Harrison celebrated 40 years of business in Yorkshire by supporting 40 local good causes in the form of cash donations or gifts made on a nomination basis to the value of over £10,000.