150TH Anniversary of Barnardo's - Royal Garden Party Celebrations!

As a special thank you for the charity work carried out by the firm, Barnardo’s recently selected special guest representatives from twenty of its supporting firms to celebrate its 150th year Anniversary by way of a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Garden Party Celebrations took place last Thursday 12^th May at the Palace in London, and was designed to thank dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters for their hard work and commitment to Barnardo’s over the years. It was hosted by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, who is President of the Charity. HRH was also accompanied by The Princess Alexandra of Kent and The Duchess of Gloucester. 

Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Barnardo’s said, “Barnardo’s 150^th year is a great opportunity for us to all to stand together and show our support for the most vulnerable children in the UK.”

Over the past 150 years as a charity, Barnardo’s overall aim has always been and continues to be to transform the lives of the most vulnerable children across the UK. Established in 1886 by Irishman Thomas John Barnardo, the charity believes they can bring out the very best in every child whether the issue is child poverty, sexual exploitation, disability or domestic violence.

Barnardo’s believe there is potential in every child and young person - no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through.

Since 2009, QualitySolicitors Martin Tolhurst has partaken in various charitable fundraising events for Barnardo’s. In 2015, two of the Partners from the firm took part in the Barnardo’s ‘Distance Challenge’, between which the pair ran a total of 100 miles - raising a fantastic record total for the Charity of £1,125 in one event!

Since the QualitySolicitors network began in 2009, the firm have also continued to offer the ‘Barnard’s Free Will Scheme’, whereby clients who are aged 55 years and over may opt to benefit from a ‘free will’ under the scheme in return for considering the charity and bequeathing a gift to Barnardo’s from their estate. The firm holds a special ‘Barnardo’s Wills Month’ dedicated to promoting this scheme in October, each year.

Managing Partner, Richard Carter and Marketing Manager, Dana Gray at QualitySolicitors Martin Tolhurst were honoured to be personally invited by the Charity to attend the prestigious Royal Garden Party celebrations at Buckingham Palace and enjoyed reuniting with the dedicated Barnardo’s staff that they regularly speak to in addition to meeting many children who have benefited from Barnardo’s care and services, volunteers, other fellow supporters and of course Her Royal Highness.

Richard Carter says, “Barnardos work tirelessly at a local level to support vulnerable children. We have been delighted to work with them on a variety of initiatives in Kent to support their fantastic work. Our partners and staff have been delighted to work with them in raising funds and helping promote the work they do.”

Barnardo’s care leaver, Abi Ajetummobi made a special cake under the guidance of celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager who has mentored Abi alongside top pastry chef Marc Mouzon. Rosemary also attended the Garden Party where the spectacular creation was presented to HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, the President of the charity and the special recipe will be shared later this year for anyone wishing to fundraise by holding a bake-sale for the charity.

If you are aged 55 years and over, are considering bequeathing a gift to charity in your Will and would like more information about the Barnardo’s Free Will Scheme, contact us today on 01474 546013 and speak to our First Contact Team.