As some of you might have heard the National Estates Team will be starting a challenge  to virtually walk around all Shoosmiths offices in 1 week, this is 1,535 miles or 3,603,271 steps on Tuesday the 16th of August. There will be 50 of us undertaking the challenge with a little bit of inter office internal competition going on too – so if you see the team pacing the corridors you now know why!!

All of this is of course to raise money for a charity, and we are pleased to support one of our clients the Canal & River Trust. They are looking to set a world record creating the largest public orchard which will consist of a wide variety of fruit trees such as cherry, plum, apple and pear as well as historic varieties such a the Tettenhall Dick Pear and more exotic plants in the warmer weather like peaches, apricots, figs, persimmon and pomegranates.

Once planted the 3,000 trees will span 50 miles from Wolverhampton to Birmingham and out to Worcester. The public will be able to pick and eat fruit for free. What is expected to be a 10 year project will also help grow a declining biodiversity, with almost 50% already been lost to largely a change in land use where rolling fields once stood there are now housing estates and roads. Persistent removal of hedgerows and annual flailing has meant that flourishing
verges have been hacked away leaving many animal species without shelter or food. The initiative will create a nature superhighway providing safe passage for an array of species to travel, collect food and find shelter.

So what do we need from you?  If you can find it in your hearts and pockets to sponsor us we would be very grateful. Link below to the just giving page or you can leave a cash donation at reception if that’s easier.

Cara Higgs Community Fundraiser in the West Midlands at
Canal & River Trust, said: We are excited to be supporting Shoosmiths, who share our commitment to deliver nature recovery and tackle climate change in their first ever national Estates fundraiser inspired by the community orchard project
here in the West Midlands.

Our partnership has provided inclusive opportunities for
their employees to protect and restore nature, whilst enabling Shoosmiths commitment to deliver a positive contribution to society.

The money raised from the 3.6 million step challenge will
go towards safeguarding our canals, helping waterway wildlife flourish, and protecting our 200-year-old canal heritage in the face of climate change.

We're the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways, because we believe that life is better by water.