An Extra Birthday Hug for Henry
The plight of four year old Henry Hallam has had such an impact on the staff of a local law firm that his charity, Hugs for Henry, has been voted as its charity of the year.
The charity will benefit from regular fundraising activities and events held by Plymouth based solicitors, Gill Akaster LLP, including monthly dress down days, bake sales and much more. The first dress down day took place today (Friday 30th August), on Henry’s fourth birthday, and saw staff members at the law firm wearing purple to show their support.
Hugs for Henry was established by Henry’s parents, Elsbeth and Mike Hallam, after Henry was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma in September 2012. They are hoping to raise in excess of £500,000 to provide him with the best available treatment – no matter where in the world that may be.
Stephen Ramsden, managing partner of Gill Akaster, commented: “Each year our staff chooses a local charity, and Henry’s story touched us all. If our fundraising over the next 12 months can help in even the smallest way to deliver Henry the treatment he needs, then our efforts will be well worthwhile.
“To demonstrate our commitment we wanted to make a real effort during our first fundraising event. As purple is the colour selected by Hugs for Henry it seemed wholly appropriate that we embrace this on our first dress down day.”
Henry is currently undergoing intensive treatment in Bristol. So far more than £130,000 has been raised, a figure which is growing on an almost daily basis.
Based in Plymouth city centre and employing 65 members of staff, Gill Akaster undertook a companywide vote to select the chosen charity. Hugs for Henry took the largest share of the votes and was officially named as the chosen charity in August 2013.
Hugs for Henry, GA shows its support