This September I will be embarking on a challenging trek in the Carpathian mountains in aid of Hope and Homes for Children.  I will be joined by 19 other people from eight different Allen & Overy offices internationally, and we'll be trekking for four days for up to ten hours a day. 

At the end of the trek we will spend a day with Hope and Homes for Children in Bucharest to see first-hand the work they carry out there.  

To date, Hope and Homes for Children has transitioned 5,810 from institutions to family-based care, prevented 9,578 children from separation and institutionalisation, and helped create the conditions for reforming the child protection system across Romania.

Orphanages do not protect children. They harm them. Hope and Homes for Children is working towards a day when every child can grow up in a loving family. There are 8 million children across the world confined to soulless orphanages. Over 80% of them are not orphans. It doesn't have to be this way. Allen & Overy employees are aiming to raise £1,000,000 over two years to support their global charity partner Hope and Homes for Children and provide significant pro bono support to strengthen the charity's work around the world. This funding and pro bono support will enable Hope and Homes for Children help thousands of children grow up in a family instead of loveless orphanages. Thank you for your support to this partnership which will change the lives of so many children, through giving them hope for a brighter future in the love and protection of a family.