Student art auction organised for law firm’s office anniversary tips charity fundraising over £3,600

A student art auction organised by law firm Trowers & Hamlins to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Manchester office has helped boost the total amount raised for local charity Lifeshare to more than £3,600.

The money was raised through the student art auction and a range of office fundraising activities, such as bake sales, raffles and a charity quiz.
Art students at The Manchester College were commissioned by Trowers & Hamlins to produce six pieces of artwork that celebrate themes that are synonymous with Manchester, such as the cotton industry, Emmeline Pankhurst, graphene and notable regeneration projects.

Established in 1984, Lifeshare is a Manchester-based charity dedicated to helping the homeless and vulnerable across Greater Manchester by providing practical support and assistance to secure accommodation and access initiatives to help them carry their lives forward.

Suzanne Benson, Regional Managing Partner at Trowers & Hamlins’ Manchester office, said: “We were really pleased to mark the 50th anniversary of our Manchester office by collaborating with art students at The Manchester College, whose names and work could very well be synonymous with Manchester in 50 years’ time.

“Not only does the auction demonstrate to the students that their excellent work is commercially viable, but it was also a means of supporting a local charity that offers so much vital support to homeless people across Manchester. And this, on top of the generosity of colleagues in the office who have been involved in a raft of fundraising activities, means that we will be donating over £3,600 to Lifeshare.

“We are proud of our long-standing presence in Manchester and the part we have been able to play in supporting our clients’ projects to transform the city and its surrounds during the last 50 years.”4
Judith Vickers, Operations Manager at Lifeshare, said: “Lifeshare has seen a huge increase in demand in 2023. We served 12,000 hot breakfasts this year at our respite service compared to 6,000 in 2022. This shows how vital the support is, but also places a great strain on our organisation to fund and deliver this project.

“Companies like Trowers & Hamlins getting behind us makes a world of difference at times like these. Not only have they raised funds, they have also volunteered their time with us so they truly understand the work we do and the wonderful guests we serve. It’s efforts like these that help us show our guests, who are some of the most vulnerable people in our city, that they are cared for and valued. We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from Trowers & Hamlins thus far and we look forward to continuing to partner with them in 2024.”

Since opening in 1973, Trowers & Hamlins’ Manchester office on Princess Street has grown to a team of over 150 people offering multiple areas of expertise, supporting clients in both public and private sectors, with a particular focus on real estate, construction, corporate, commercial disputes, employment and finance.