Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and Alzheimer Scotland are to share a donation of £38,000 from law firm Gillespie Macandrew. Partners at the firm commit to donating 1% of the firm’s pre-tax profits each year to its partner charities. Earlier this year Gillespie Macandrew began a three-year partnership with ECHC and Alzheimer Scotland, after the charities were nominated and voted for by staff.

Gillespie Macandrew’s support for its partner charities is both financial and practical. Through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee, staff are encouraged to participate in a broad range of additional fundraising activities, and are also given a day off each year to take part in charitable activities.

Chief Executive Officer Robert Graham-Campbell commented:

“We are pleased to be able to share the success of our day-to-day business activities in support of these two important charities, particularly at time when their services are under increased pressure.

As well as our donation, we continue to offer practical support however we can. Members of our CSR committee visited the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People where they saw first-hand the amazing work ECHC does and the real difference it makes to the children, young people, their families, and staff.

Our private client practitioners know all too well the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on individuals and their families and we are proud to support their important work. In the coming months staff will help to create dementia gardens in Dundee and Glasgow.”

Olivia Penn, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, commented:

‘’We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Gillespie Macandrew who have already shown incredible commitment to our cause through fundraising and volunteering. The vital funds raised through the partnership will go towards transforming the lives of seriously ill babies, children and young people by supporting their medical care, mental health and family’s wellbeing. Together, we will make sure children treated in hospital and healthcare settings across Scotland will always be children first and patients second.’’

Caroline Miller, Lead for Stakeholder Engagement at Alzheimer Scotland, commented:

“The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the dementia community – the loss of formal and informal supports and the rapid progression of the illness are strongly correlated. This donation from Gillespie Macandrew will help us to rebuild our frontline services such as day care, gardening and other therapeutic groups, and will make sure that our Dementia Advisors can continue to be a lifeline to people with dementia and their carers in communities across Scotland. The pandemic has shed light on some complex legal issues for people we support in areas like Powers of Attorney and Guardianships, and we are especially grateful for the support that Gillespie Macandrew has provided in the form of training for our colleagues and information sessions for our carers.”

Gillespie Macandrew has a long and proud history of supporting not for profit organisations and staff are given a paid day off each year to participate in charitable or corporate and social responsibility events.

The firm has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth and advises on all areas of land and rural business, private client, commercial real estate, energy, tax and disputes.