On Monday 17th June, JRS UK joined 10,000 others participating in the London Legal Walk, an annual 10 km walk across central London which aims to raise awareness and funds for organisations affected by legal aid cuts.
It’s the first time we have taken part in such an event, as we now have an OISC registered Legal Advice Service.
Funds raised by the JRS Walkers directly support JRS UK’s legal team, which offers free legal advice to many of our refugee friends struggling to navigate their way through the complicated asylum process – many of whom do not have any legal representation.
With legal aid cuts making it increasingly difficult for people seeking asylum and refugees to receive adequate legal advice, solicitors have less time to compile necessary evidence or work as closely with their clients as they would like and need. Our legal team has been set-up specifically to delve into individual cases in greater detail – giving them the attention that they deserve.
Aside from supporting our vital legal service, the London Legal walk was a great opportunity to treat our staff, volunteers, supporters and refugee friends to a fun day out! Our team of over 40 walkers assembled at the Royal Courts of Justice, to collect water bottles, snacks, maps and pose for some team pictures.
The asylum and immigration system leaves thousands unable to progress their cases and rebuild their lives.
Find out how JRS UK’s new Legal Advice Project supports our refugee friends
With beautiful weather throughout, we meandered through London’s many scenic parks and landmarks including: Green Park, St. James Park and Buckingham Palace. At the half-way point, we stopped for a much needed ice cream by the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park and enjoyed the evening views! Although everyone was understandably tired at the end of the 10km walk, we were all in agreement that it was great to take part in such a collaborative community event.
One of our walkers, Jasmine, remarked: “It was lovely to have the opportunity to talk to someone that you may not have formally interacted with – whether that was a member of staff in another team, a refugee friend who you hadn’t spoken to before, or somebody completely new to JRS supporting the work that we do. I just really enjoyed seeing so many people, of all ages and backgrounds, rally behind JRS for such a worthy cause.”
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to those who walked and fundraised for us, as well as those who have supported us by spreading the word!
We are inching steadily towards our target, as we have raised over £2,000 out of our £3,000 target!
There is still time to donate and help JRS UK advocate for policies that protect refugees and allow them to flourish.