Gilbert Stephens Staff Don Their Festive Woollies for Charity Fundraiser

Getting into the festive spirit – that of giving rather than eating and drinking – our staff donned an array of fluffy and sparkly jumpers worthy of a spot on a Noel Edmond’s Christmas Special on Thursday 17 December.

By doing so, we hope to raise hundreds of pounds for the three excellent charities chosen by ITV’s Text Santa appeal this year – Macmillan Cancer Support, Make a Wish UK and Save the Children. Staff have been arriving at work with a smile on their face and a suitably jovial woolly on their backs – from ruddy-nosed Rudolphs to sequin-bedecked Santas – for the minimum fundraising cost of £2 each, but hopefully much more.

Even our CEO, Philip Luckham, who will sadly be retiring at the end of 2015, says: “In a serious profession such as law, it is always nice at the end of the year to let our hardworking team relax, get into the festive spirit and at the same time raise money for three fantastic charities. This also follows the staff’s brilliant recent efforts to support Devon charity, Christian Response to Eastern Europe – we were delighted to have 37 filled and wrapped shoeboxes to send to disadvantaged children and the elderly in Moldova.”
This year a host of ITV stars have also been ‘Doing their bit in a Christmas Knit’ supporting the Text Santa Appeal, which culminates in Christmas Jumper Day on 18 December and a three-hour star-studded TV spectacular in the evening on ITV.

Text Santa is now in its fifth year and has so far raised over £21 million for UK charities. The annual appeal also helps to increase awareness of the vital work of ITV’s charity partners by using the major TV station’s reach to millions of viewers across the UK. 100% of the money will be shared equally amongst the Text Santa charities going directly to support their vital work. All donations to Save the Children’s international work will be matched pound for pound by the UK Government up to £5 million.

There is still time to get involved, so if you do fancy joining the Gilbert Stephens team in the festive frolics, there is more information on how to get involved in Text Santa Christmas Jumper Day at ITV.com/textsanta.