Birkett Long in the community

Birkett Long is a vibrant and dynamic place to work. The firm is dedicated to training and developing our staff and we focus on client care. A great part of the firm’s success is being able to share that by supporting local charities and organisations. We do that in various ways, through fundraising within our offices, donating legal services and offering individuals’ time. Since 2002 the firm has helped contribute in excess of £430,000 to various charitable causes, including several staff-nominated charities of the year.

Birkett Long’s Charity for the Year

Each year, the firm chooses a charity of the year and, for 2019/20, Birkett Long's charity for the year is Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

Birkett Long in Essex and beyond

As well as our Charity for the Year, Birkett Long also supports lots of Essex wide organisations, including:

Essex Search & Rescue

Essex Search & Rescue responds at any time, day or night, to calls from the Police to assist in the search for vulnerable missing persons. In each case a fast response is vital. Birkett Long was thrilled to be able to provide the ESAR team with new high viz jackets and medical bags.

The Rob George Foundation

The Rob George Foundation was set up in loving memory of Rob, son of Philip George, Consultant Solicitor at Birkett Long, who died following a long and brave battle with leukaemia on 9 December 2013. Please see the Foundation's objectives below to find out what the Foundation does.

The Rob George Foundation has two clear objectives:

  • To provide practical and/or financial support to young people with life threatening or terminal illnesses.
  • To provide financial support to young people who demonstrate exceptional commitment and/or ability in the worlds of sport or the performing arts but may be held back by their financial situation from pursuing their goals.

In 2014 we took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge for the RGF

Outhouse East

A registered charity providing opportunities for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people in Essex. Based in Colchester, they offer help, support, advice and information. Birkett Long offers their members legal advice.

Essex Wildlife Trust

Birkett Long is a silver corporate member of the Essex Wildlife Trust. The Trust manages and protects over 8,200 acres of land on 87 nature reserves, 2 nature parks and runs 10 visitor centres in Essex.

Essex Young Farmers

Birkett Long has support Essex Young Farmers’ country show for many years, often sponsoring an area such as the Festival of Food. Essex Young Farmers is a youth organisation made up of 16-26 year olds and, despite the name, you don’t have to be a farmer to join; absolutely anyone can be a member!  

Stour Valley Arts & Music Festival

SVAM arranges five concerts and one lecture, plus one or two extra events each season, usually between October and April at the parish church of St Mary's and at the Constable Hall, East Bergholt. Birkett Long sponsored a concert during the 15/16 season.

Birkett Long in Colchester

Mercury Theatre

The Mercury Theatre Colchester is the most active producing theatre in East Anglia, and is a vital centre of excellence in the East’s growing creative economy. Birkett Long supports the Mercury through its corporate membership scheme, and two members of our staff are on the Board of Trustees.

Colchester Rugby Club

Birkett Long supports Colchester Rugby Club by taking advertising and sponsoring occasional matches.

Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club

Birkett Long has supported Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club for many years, through sponsorship of shirts, pitch side advertising and other activities.

St Helena Hospice

The relationship of St Helena Hospice and Birkett Long stretches back to the Hospice’s inception, when our late Senior Partner, Christopher Holmes OBD DL, was involved in setting it up. Birkett Long continues to support the hospice in many ways, not least through the firm’s sponsorship of the Birkett Long £50 Challenge in aid of St Helena Hospice. One of Birkett Long’s partners is a Trustee.

Roman River Festival

The festival converts 15 unusual and unexpected venues to performance venues, and features new commissions, emerging talent, young artists and internationally renowned musicians. Birkett Long supports Roman River by sponsoring a concert during the festival.

Hadleigh Farmers Agricultural Association

Birkett Long supports the HFAA throughout the year, and at its annual show.

Colbea

The Colchester Business Enterprise Agency (Colbea) is a not for profit organisation dedicated to supporting business. Birkett Long has been a corporate sponsor for many years, offering legal advice to several of its members.

Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum

The Gardens and Arboretum feature a tree collection from all the temperate areas of the world set in more than 200 acres of historic landscape providing interest and enjoyment throughout the year. Among many other things, you will find the Birkett Long Millennium Walk at Marks Hall.

Clacton Choral Society

Clacton Choral Society has been in existence now for over a hundred years, having been founded by Frederick Lewellen at Christ Church in 1897, although he is said to have conducted Messiah as early as 1888! The choir has been a constant part of the tradition of choral singing in Clacton ever since, only breaking off during the Wars. Birkett Long supports the society with the production of publicity materials.  A member of Birkett Long IFA LLP is the music director.

Birkett Long in Chelmsford

Chelmsford Cathedral Choral Foundation

The Choral Foundation was established in 1995 to provide a secure financial base for the development of music at Chelmsford Cathedral. Birkett Long has supported the foundation for many years, sponsoring a high profile concert featuring an internationally known performer each year.

Farleigh Hospice

Farleigh Hospice provides hospice care to people affected by life limiting illnesses across mid Essex. Since being established in 1982, the Hospice and its team of healthcare professionals, has grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of the community it serves. We support the Birkett Long £50 Challenge in aid of Farleigh Hospice  http://www.farleighhospice.org/support-us/corporate-fundraising/the-50-challenge/. A member of Birkett Long’s staff is a Trustee.

Chelmsford Young Generation

Chelmsford Young Generation is a music and drama society (charity registered) for young people aged 8 to 18, established in 1968. Boys and girls work with professional directors to perform two shows each year at the Civic Theatre and the Cramphorn Theatre in Chelmsford. Birkett Long supports the Young Gen shows with programme advertising. A member of staff at Birkett Long is a member of Chelmsford Young Gen.

Birkett Long in Basildon

St Luke’s Hospice

St. Luke’s Hospice aims to provide the highest standards of care for people who have specialist palliative care needs and live in the Basildon & Thurrock districts. Birkett Long provides two members of staff to St Luke’s Corporate Partners scheme, sponsors their annual 5k run in Billericay and supports the Birkett Long £50 Challenge in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.

Basildon Athletics Club

Basildon A.C is committed to offering the most up-to-date techniques and best practices available to develop top quality opportunities for our members, which are competitive athletes, coaches and technical officials. Birkett Long provides a Rising Star award.

Gemma Kersey, athlete

Gemma is the recipient of our Rising Star award at Basildon Athletics Club. Birkett Long has supported Gemma for several years. Gemma writes occasional blogs for Birkett Long, updating us on her training and progress.

Eastgate Art Gallery

The Eastgate Art Gallery is based in Basildon and has been running for 3 years, giving artists a chance to display their artwork locally. When Birkett Long opened its Basildon office, we supported the gallery by paying for the restoration of the John Wells painting, which is owned by the Basildon Arts Trust.  Involute No 6, an abstract oil on board which dates back to 1979, had been in need of cleaning and repairing.