Jacksons Law Firm supports regional charity for homeless women

December 16th 2016

The staff at one of the longest established law firms in the North East, Jacksons, have rallied together to help homeless women in the North East by donating essential care and hygiene products.

Following an appeal from Newcastle-based Gill Minto, who started the initiative last year, the staff at Jacksons have donated handbags, shopping bags and rucksacks filled with a number of items the homeless women dont have the money to buy. Many of the products, which most women take for granted, include soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, new underwear, socks, toothpaste and a toothbrush.

Gill, who runs the charity in her spare time whilst running her own therapy business, Evania Lifestyles, started the campaign at the end of 2015 when she realised these vulnerable women cant afford to buy basic hygiene products and that items such as sanitary products are not given out free of charge by the NHS.

One year on, the charity has more than 700 volunteers, over 1,000 followers on Facebook and has compiled care packages for over 3,000 women, with hundreds of people in the region offering their home as drop-off points. Gill collects the packages from the drop-off points and delivers them to local charities, including Shelter, Wearside Women in Need, Centrepoint, The Peoples Kitchen and the Salvation Army, so that they can be delivered to homeless women all over the region.

Gill said: "When I met these women and realised how much they are struggling, I tried to put myself in their situation and understand how difficult life must be for them. I just wanted to try and make a difference to their lives and thought I'd see how many people I could get involved. The support I have received from people in the region has been incredible. People from all walks of life have come forward and their generosity has blown me away. The project will be continuing into the new year and throughout 2017."

Louisa Bestford, family solicitor at Jacksons Law Firm, said: "Throughout my career, I have met women who, for many reasons, end up with nowhere to go and with no support. I understand where Gill is coming from and why she wants to make a difference. No-one wants to see women in the streets suffering from the cold and poor hygiene, particularly at this time of the year. As soon as I heard about the charity I thought this is something we can support at Jacksons, and the response from my colleagues has been amazing. Im pleased to say the staff at Jacksons havent let me down!"

Gill is looking for donations to include sanitary products, hygiene products including soap and facial wipes, socks, hats, scarves and gloves, snacks and silver emergency blankets for warmth. If you would like to donate to Gill's charity please contact her at helpinghomelesswomen@gmail.com.

Jacksons Law firm is one of the North East's longest established law firms and has been practising in the Tees Valley for 140 years. Operating from its head office in Stockton on Tees, and an office in Newcastle upon Tyne, it is well placed to assist clients across the region on a wide range of business and personal legal advice.