Local Solicitors short listed for ‘Business in the Community Award’ for their work with the Apostleship of the Sea

Wilkin Chapman Solicitors of North Lincolnshire have been short listed for a ‘Business in the Community Award’. They are one of three firms in the running to win the award to be presented at a black tie dinner on 19th June 2009 at the Grimsby Auditorium. The firm is part of a nationwide scheme called Business in the Community (BiTC), in which businesses allow their staff a certain amount of hours out per week to volunteer with local projects.

Three years ago, after meeting Fr Colum Kelly, port chaplain for the Apostleship of the Sea in Immingham, Aileen Heald, a worker with Wilkin Chapman, was inspired to volunteer for the Apostleship of the Sea. She began by volunteering at the Immingham seafarers centre, but then went on to do some training and is now a trained ship visitor. Aileen says ‘What Wilkin Chapman offers me is time to volunteer. My office is in the centre of Grimsby, not far from the Grimsby Docks. In my lunch hour, I travel on my bicycle from the office to the dock to visit the ships in port. Maybe three or four times per year, I will take a half day from work in order to travel further afield, to Immingham or on to the Trent. At these times, I am taking five hours from the office, one being my lunch break and of the other four hours, I make up two hours doing flexi work at other times and Wilkin Chapman allows me to have the other two hours – not mathematically correct, but they allow it!î

BiTC was set up 25 years ago. In return for financial contributions, they actively broker high quality, meaningful volunteering opportunities and the firm can choose which project or opportunity to pursue, encouraging staff and partners to volunteer. It is a lifeline to charities such as the Apostleship of the Sea who rely on active volunteers such as Aileen.

Apostleship of the Sea relies wholly on volunteers and voluntary contributions. They are only able to continue their work through the generous donations of supporters and volunteers. For further information on volunteering for the Apostleship of the Sea or to donate, please visit their website at www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk