Advocacy partnership shortlisted for Business Charity Awards in first year

A press release I have just received from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign:

An advocacy service partnership between the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and legal firm Hogan Lovells has been shortlisted for a Business Charity Award in its first year, after helping to secure £300,000 in care and support for people affected by muscle-wasting conditions.

On 15 May, the partners will learn whether they have won the Single Project category, after competing with high profile initiatives including Sainsbury’s and FareShare’s Million Meal Appeal and the Safe@Last collaboration between Aviva and Railway Children.

Over 100 cases have been handled by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s advocacy team with support from Hogan Lovells, which has provided pro bono client care and legal representation, offered bespoke legal training sessions and contributed to the development of a Self-Advocacy Pack. In total the firm has provided £50,000 worth of pro-bono assistance, administered by their team of 27 legal and 16 administrative volunteers.

The charity’s advocacy service was launched in 2011 in response to a sharp increase in approaches to the charity by people with muscular dystrophy and related conditions denied appropriate care, support or equipment by local authorities and health services. A significant number of cases of disability discrimination by employers, service providers and public bodies have also been dealt with by the team.

Nic Bungay, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Director of Campaigns, said:

“We have seen a 400 per cent increase in approaches from families battling local authorities and health services for care in the last two years. Establishing a structured service with the help of Hogan Lovells has helped us to turn the tide for many people facing unjust or illegal treatment at the hands of those with a responsibility to support them. We are hugely grateful for the firm’s support and for such a substantial and visible commitment to this project. We hope this short-listing for the Charity Business Awards will see Hogan Lovells team receive the recognition they deserve.”

Lawson Caisley a Partner at Hogen Lovells said:

“We are proud that our partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has achieved such tangible results, and has benefited vulnerable people that would have struggled to obtain legal representation.”