The free legal advice sector is under unprecedented strain as it battles the impacts of COVID-19, whilst facing an unprecedented increase in demand from people all over the UK who need expert guidance to resolve their legal issues.
Affordable legal advice is a vital service to help the most vulnerable people in society understand and exercise their legal rights. Without this help, many can suffer further injustices, such as poverty, homelessness, debt, and health issues.
The sector is at breaking point and needs your support now more than ever.
Take part by completing a distance-based challenge of your choosing. This can be running, walking, swimming, cycling or even hopping on one leg – it’s up to you.
Once you’ve chosen your #GotheExtraMile challenge you can either follow the instructions below to sign up and fundraise for your local region, or click ‘fundraise now’ or ‘donate now’ to raise money nationally.
Once you’re signed up, it’s time to complete your challenge!
Firstly, choose how you would like to Go the Extra Mile for Justice. This could be walking, running, cycling, hopping, skipping, jumping, or a combination – it’s entirely up to you!
Once you’ve chosen your method, choose a distance that is a challenge for you. This could be 1 mile, 10 miles, 50 miles or more. Go at your own pace and in your own way
Ask friends and family to sponsor a mile each – we’re suggesting a donation of £10 for each mile completed.
To sign up, start by clicking on your chosen region on the map of the UK
We want as many of you as possible to join the challenge! You can complete this on your own, with colleagues and friends, or even get the whole family involved.
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On your own, in a team, or with family and friends let’s Go the Extra Mile for Justice
Here is a poster and a sponsorship form to help you with your fundraising!
In recent years, cuts to legal advice and the closure of local advice centres has had a devastating impact on the vulnerable people and disadvantaged communities that rely on them. This situation has been made worse by the additional pressure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
By signing up to Go the Extra Mile for Justice you can make a difference by helping to raise vital funds to cover this funding gap and support free legal advice at a critical time when it is needed the most.
You can ensure that any money you raise goes directly to your regional Legal Support Trust to help people in your local community get access to justice.
*Aron is 33 and lives alone in supported housing. Diagnosed as having Bipolar disorder, with extreme anxiety and depression, this impacts on all aspects of everyday living, including interaction with his 3 small children. Aron claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP) but was told that he was not entitled to PIP. During this time, Aron became socially isolated. Contact with his children almost stopped, because he could not afford to support them in social activities. Aron was in despair at being disbelieved, until he went to his local advice service.
They helped Aron win his appeal, and he was awarded nearly £20,000 in backdated benefit. His weekly income was also increased by £128. Aron was pleased at this and it helped restore his sense of self-respect and also gave him the resources he sorely needed.
By supporting free legal advice centres, you will help people like Aron get the help and representation they deserve.
The Access to Justice Foundation is a company limited by guarantee (No. 6714178) and a Registered Charity in England and Wales (No. 1126147) and Scotland (No. SC048584). Registered office: 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1AG.
