Bar Council chair Sam Townend KC is to lead a team of barristers in a 10km race around the streets of London, competing against a team from the judiciary led by High Court judge Adam Constable KC
Setting off on the morning of 18 June, the Bar v Bench teams will be marking 20 years of the London Legal Walk, racing the walk’s route to raise £1m for the London Legal Support Trust (LLST).
Since it began in 2004, the walk has raised £10.5m. Last year saw 16,000 participants from 1,000 organisations take to the streets of London and raise a record £965,000. This year, LLST hopes to break the event’s fundraising record and hit £1m for the first time
Sam Townend KC said: ‘I and members of the bar and the judiciary are going the extra mile—six, in fact—to raise as much money as we can for LLST.
‘Unfortunately, its work enabling more of the public to have access to justice is as important as it has ever been. I hope everyone in the legal profession will join us to push the sum raised to over £1m for the first time and take part in the walk, which I will also be doing alongside the Bar Council team.
‘Thank you to those who already registered—your participation will make a huge difference to the lives of thousands. I hope to see you and lots of teams along the route later this year.’
The Lady Chief Justice said: ‘This is another initiative that will boost the fundraising for this important annual event. I shall be cheering on the early morning Bench running team, as well as leading the Royal Courts of Justice walking team later in the day.
‘We must all, as a profession, continue to support this charity and the vital work that supports the drive for access to justice. Please dig deep in your pockets to make donations, as you feel able, and support for this event.’
The Bar team consists of: Sam Townend KC (Keating); Abigail Bright (Doughty Street); Nargees Choudhury (Rose Court); Neil Hext KC (4 New Square); and Michael Lemmy (Byrom Street).
Competing for the Bench team are: the Honourable Mr Justice Constable; the Honourable Mr Justice Linden; the Honourable Mrs Justice Steyn DBE; the Right Honourable Lord Justice Haddon-Cave; and the Honourable Mrs Justice Joanna Smith DBE.
