Local support

Difference Making a

Lodders has a long history of support for independent arts, charities and local community organisations that make a difference to the towns and cities where we work.

Lodders has supported Stratford Literary Festival since 2008, making it our longest-running sponsorship arrangement.

At the 2022 Festival, we supported three individual events, one featuring Dr Louise Newson, author of ‘The Menopause’, a ‘Can't we just print more money’ panel-led discussion featuring Rupal Patel and Jack Meaning, and ‘an audience with’ event with journalists David Hendy and Henry Mance, who took the audience on a journey through the BBC’s 100 years.

Pedal power

Partners Alastair Frew and Mike Wakeling took on a three-day, 185-mile bike ride from York to Warwick, raising (at the last count) £3000 for Warwickshire children’s charity, Molly Ollys. The Fundraising Cycle Ride started at York Castle and finished at the Durham Ox in Shrewley near Warwick, and has so far raised over £70,000.

The charity, which had its 10th anniversary this year, emotionally supports babies and children up to 18 who have life-threatening illnesses, and their families, to help with their emotional wellbeing. It provides gifts to individuals and donates therapeutic toys and books to children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

“Rachel Ollerenshaw and her husband, Tim, set up Molly Ollys not long after their daughter, Molly, very sadly died from a rare kidney cancer,” explains Mike.

“The charity is very dear to me. Molly was at school with my son Ben, and I know her parents Tim and Rachel well. It was devastating when Molly was diagnosed aged just three with a Wilms tumour, and despite a long and brave five-year fight, she died in 2011.

“When I heard about the York to Warwick Bike Ride that is part of the charity’s events in this its 10th anniversary year, I knew I wanted to take part and help raise funds to support Molly Olly and its team to continue their amazing work.”

Ace fundraising

Lodders’ family law team served up a day of tennis that raised £1000 for the event’s venue Pershore Tennis Centre.

Around fifty guests including professional contacts joined team head Beverley Morris at the second annual tennis event.

Outdoor pursuits

• The Kenilworth Show, Stoneleigh, was back after a three-year hiatus on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, and Lodders was again main sponsor of the Inter Hunt Relay.

“Taking an active role in local events such as the Kenilworth Show as an important way for us to support our local communities and meet people who, like us, have a passion for the countryside,” said James Spreckley.

• 2022 marks the twelfth consecutive year Lodders has been the principal sponsor of the Stratford 10k. The event regularly fields more than 1,500 runners, including a strong team from the firm.

• Our sponsorship and support of

Hartpury College and the Hartpury-

Gloucester Women’s Rugby Team represent an excellent fit for the firm and our values. “Lodders has worked with businesses and individuals in the rural and agriculture sectors for all the firm’s 235 years,” comments Paul

Mourton, “and this interest, knowledge and passion reinforces just how well aligned the firm and

Hartpury College are."