Legal firm’s pedal power pushes donations past £1,000 for Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

The team at Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) swapped law for lycra in a bid to raise funds for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

 Eight cycling enthusiasts from across WHN Solicitors’ Lancashire and Greater Manchester offices took to a static bike at the firm’s Rawtenstall office, on May 6, to cycle a 130-mile virtual route in aid of Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

The sponsored charity cycle challenge saw bikers cover the distance between all eight of WHN's office locations to help boost charity coffers, with director David Connor, managing director Simon Brown, IT manager Paul Medcalfe and paralegal Jack Heyes – each from the firm’s Rawtenstall office – all taking part.

Solicitor Jake Neary joined them from its Accrington team, while senior consultant solicitor Graham Ireland came along for a ride from WHN’s Clitheroe base. WHN Solicitors’ business development and marketing manager Julie Sutherland – as well as registry manager Catherine Ryder – provided the womanpower on the day.

The gruelling 130+ mile ride was completed in just eight hours with a little help from Bob Chadwick and Tony Nixon from Rossendale Radio who joined in on the action. The team has so far racked up £1,125 in donations.

DEC charities and their local partners are working with Ukraine and surrounding countries to meet the immediate needs of people fleeing Ukraine. Through the appeal the associated charities provide food, water, medical assistance as well as much needed protection and trauma care for the refugees.

David Connor said: “The whole firm is fully committed to extending a hand in support of this vital cause – not just the cyclists, who were very competitive at times - but the rest of the WHN team too, who got right behind them in a ‘guess the mileage’ competition on the day. 

“There was a great atmosphere on the day in the office, with a continuous stream of people dropping in to support us. We’re extremely grateful for all the donations we’ve received so far from colleagues, clients, business partners and members of the public, as well as the help from Rossendale Leisure Trust Ltd which loaned the bike for the day.

“A huge thank you to the team at Rossendale Radio too who kept us entertained and promoted the event live on air - those cycling-related music tracks really helped spur us on.”

You can still support WHN Solicitors’ appeal by donating via its Cycle for Ukraine Just Giving page.