The Franklins Solicitors LLP team, together with the 24 teams taking part in this year’s #Franklins50 challenge, celebrated last night (Wednesday 21 June) as they saw the total raised by the challenge since 2018 smash their £100,000 target.

£20,000 was raised this year and will provide the following support to each charity:

The small gathering, held at The Marriott Hotel in Northampton, brought together participating teams from across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, and the benefiting charities. Awards were given out for a variety of achievements this year.

  1. Top fundraiser for MK Act and overall: BWC Profiles – raised £3,000.
  2. Top fundraiser for Northampton Hope Centre: Louise from Miller & Chalk – raised £562.10
  3. Top fundraiser for Cynthia Spencer Hospice: Travis Perkins with £1,593.80.
  4. Top fundraiser for Willen Hospice: Team Bala from John Lewis – raised £2154.75.
  5. Small Business Superstar: Peter Bakare, Nutri Troops – raised £1,317.
  6. Best use of social media: Syncro for their launch video – raised £920.
  7. Most creative fundraising idea: dbfb Communications who produced, printed and sold their own cookbook featuring the favourite recipes of their staff, along with printed branded aprons – raised £625.
  8. Best community initiative: OneFourSix digital marketing hosted a BBQ serving breakfast and lunch for the second year running, which was promoted to local businesses – raised £800.
  9. Best example of teamwork: John Lewis Teams – their four teams – Odney, Ambleside, Leckford and Bala – competed against each other to raise a grand total of £5621.81.

The challenge required teams to take £50 seed funding from Franklins Solicitors LLP and turn it into as much money as possible over three months for their chosen charity – one of the   local charities taking part across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes this year.

Andrea Smith, Partner at Franklins Solicitors LLP, said:

“It was a great evening to get everyone together to celebrate the achievements of the teams taking part this year but also exceeding the £100,000 raised since we began the challenge in 2018. This year we really want to help towards the current cost-of-living crisis and improving wellbeing. It’s great to see the difference the money raised will make to the local charities involved.“

Lolly Marlborough, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at MK Act, said:

“In total the Franklinks50 challenge has raised £4317 for MK Act and we’re so grateful to Franklins and everyone who took part at BWC Profiles, Nutri Troops and MK Softball. This money will make the hugest difference to MK Act, helping 104 men, women and children suffering domestic violence including paying for a trip to the seaside for the children in our refuge. It has been a really fun challenge and so great for team building and building connections.”

Louise Danielzuk from Northampton Hope Centre said:

“In a nutshell this money will mean people in Northampton no longer need to go hungry and the money raised will feed 750 hungry families. Every day we are hearing more stories of people unable to feed themselves, or families having to go without food because they simply cannot afford the food, or the fuel to cook it with. This money means that this no longer needs to be the story.”

If you would like to take part in the 2024 #Franklins50 challenge, please email marketing@franklins-sols.co.uk.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, Franklins Solicitors LLP is hosting a Wellbeing Walk on the morning of 17th May at Salcey Forest at 10am.

This is an informal networking event where people from local businesses can meet in a relaxed and friendly environment and return to work feeling revitalised.

Speaking about the initiative, Andrea Smith, Partner said:

“We recognise that taking time out to recharge can make a big difference to our wellbeing! The walk will be a relaxed and informal get together where people can grab a coffee and catch up in the fresh air.  We chose Salcey Forest due to its convenient proximity between Northampton and Milton Keynes.”

The Wellbeing Walk is free to attend and open to the business communities across Milton Keynes and Northampton. Places are limited. People are welcome to bring their dogs if they wish to do so.

To find out more and sign up, visit https://franklins-wellbeing-walk.eventbrite.co.uk

Over twenty businesses so far from across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes have signed up for the #Franklins50 challenge and will turn £50 seed funding from Franklins Solicitors LLP into as much money as possible over three months for five local charities – Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Northampton Hope Centre, MK Act, Willen Hospice and MK Food Bank.

The challenge runs from February 13th until May 12th and will see teams testing their business acumen to the max, participating teams are coming up with a range of activities to turn £50 into as much money as possible for their chosen charity. From selling hand-cut leaves and portrait photography, to abseiling down the Northampton Lift Tower and putting colleagues in wet sponge stocks, nothing is off the table as long as it’s safe and legal!

Northampton based companies taking part include:

Andrea Smith , Partner at Franklins Solicitors LLP, said:

“It’s fantastic to have so many companies on board and there’s still time to sign your team up and help us tackle the local cost-of-living crisis and improve wellbeing. It’s a brilliant team-building opportunity and we can’t wait to see what imaginative ways teams come up with to raise some money.”

About some of the teams taking part for the first time:

Nutri Troops was founded by Olympic Volleyball Player Peter Bakare who represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics. He is currently a motivational speaker, focusing on inspiring school students across Milton Keynes and beyond. Peter will use the £50 seed funding to design and print promotional materials to offer Milton Keynes’ businesses discounted motivational lunchtime talks for their staff.

Nutri Troops CEO Peter Bakare said:

“I’m so excited to be part of the Franklin’s £50 Challenge to raise money for MK Act. They are such a great charity who help hundreds of families in Milton Keynes who are suffering from domestic abuse. Through Nutri Troops, I have helped coach hundreds of children in Milton Keynes and some of them have been from an MK Acts refuge. I have seen the positive impact the charity has had on these families, helping them to find safety away from domestic abuse, so I would love the opportunity to raise money for MK Act.”

Milton Keynes-based aluminium and plastics extrusion company, BWC Profiles, are entering a team that will run the MK Turing 10K on 30 April to raise money for MK Act.

Danny Varley, BWC Profiles Managing Director, said:

“We’ve never done anything like this before. Most of us can barely run 5K let alone 10K but it’s for a great cause and we need a good reason to give up the biscuits and get off our backsides. We hope to raise at least £5,000 for a brilliant charity that supports those that have suffered domestic abuse so we hope people will dig deep to help MK ACT.”  

Cyber security consultancy, Provention, has been supporting MK Food Bank for several years and says the #Franklins50 challenge is show their support and team-build at the same time.

Max Fogg, cyber security consultant, explained:

“We’re going to run a sweepstake and use the £50 seed funding to buy a prize and we’ve also got some other ideas in the making. It’s great to support a cause helping our local community feed their families in these challenging times.”

Syncro Office Technology Ltd, Co-Founder, Stuart Mildren, said:

“We actively seek opportunities for our team to engage in local, fun, community activities so signing up to the Franklins £50 challenge was a really simple decision. We are supporting Cynthia Spencer Hospice as we’ve seen first-hand the hard work and care that takes place from all of the Cynthia Spencer volunteers and staff – they are a credit to our community.

We’re using the £50 seed funding to hire a local professional photographer in a high-quality setting to provide professional portrait photos which we will sell at a heavily discounted price/ donation of £25.00 per person.”

Franklins Solicitors LLP are giving local businesses the chance to join an Apprentice-style challenge to raise as much money as possible for local charities tackling the cost-of-living crisis and improving wellbeing. The new series of BBC’s The Apprentice kicks off tonight, Thursday 5 January, and includes a candidate from Milton Keynes – Rochelle Anthony, owner of The Dollshouse Salon.

The #Franklins50 challenge will see teams test their business acumen to turn £50 seed funding into as much money as possible for their chosen charity over three months. Teams can choose to support MK-Act, Willen Hospice, Northampton Hope Centre, Cynthia Spencer Hospice or MK Food Bank and have between 13 February 2023 and 12 May 2023 to be crowned the Lord Sugar of the boardroom at a small award ceremony.

Budding teams can take inspiration from previous series of the BBC show like the episode where candidates had to spot treasures in the trash to make the most money at Wimbledon Car Boot Sale.

Denise Watson , Associate Partner at Franklins Solicitors LLP, said:

“Local businesses have the chance to demonstrate their business prowess and take part in our Apprentice-style challenge to help tackle the local cost-of-living crisis and improve wellbeing. It’s a brilliant team-building opportunity and we can’t wait to see what imaginative ways teams come up with to make some money.”

If you would like to take part in the Franklins £50 challenge, you can register here.

#Franklins50 challenge opens for businesses and organisations across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes to help tackle the local cost-of-living crisis and improve wellbeing. 

Five local charities will benefit from this year’s #Franklins50 challenge where businesses and organisations across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes can get creative as possible to turn £50 seed funding into as much money as possible for these good causes.

Northampton charities Cynthia Spencer Hospice and Northampton Hope Centre and Milton Keynes’ charities MK Act, Willen Hospice and MK Food Bank will benefit this year and are all working together to make the most effective use of their collective resources.

Participating teams will receive £50 seed funding from Franklins Solicitors LLP to turn it into as much money as possible between 13 February and 12 May 2023 for their chosen charity. The challenge is open to any business, organisation or community group and they can get as creative as they like with their fundraising as long as it’s safe and legal!

Registration opens today, Wednesday 7 December 2022, so businesses and organisations have nearly 10 weeks to get a team together and sign up before the challenge kicks off on 13 February 2023. Participating teams will receive lots of ideas and support along the way from their chosen charity and the Franklins’ team before a small awards ceremony on 12 May 2023.

Andrea Smith, Head of Business Services at Franklins Solicitors LLP:

“We’re delighted to declare this year’s #Franklins50 challenge open for local businesses and organisations to register a team to take part. This year all the money raised will go to five local charities tackling the cost-of-living crisis and wellbeing locally. Taking part is an opportunity for team building, getting creative and having fun – whilst raising money for very worthwhile causes.”

Northampton-based Digital Marketing Agency, onefoursix, took part last year and Dave Williams explained how they raised money for the challenge:

“We got the onefoursix team together and floated a few ideas around the table including the BBQ idea. At the time, with the weather being so good, the BBQ idea stuck. Who doesn’t love a BBQ?! We had no idea that it would take off as much as it did. We must have done over 100 orders that day. A big part of that is down to Issie Odom, our Digital Marketing Apprentice, who went round knocking on doors encouraging businesses to come along the following day.”

Louise Danielczuk from Northampton Hope Centre said:

“This Challenge will make the lives of those who are hungry a little easier. We encourage all Northampton businesses to get behind this amazing challenge and get their fundraising caps on to generate as much as possible to support their local community.”

David Williams, whose wife Irene was helped by Cynthia Spencer Hospice, said:

“I really hope lots of local businesses and organisations take part in this fundraising challenge and raise vital money for Cynthia Spencer Hospice. The care received for my wife, Irene, was fantastic and at what is a very emotional time we felt truly supported.’”

Entries are open now. To find out more and get involved, visit https://franklins-sols.co.uk/50-challenge/ 

Our offices will be closing at 17:30 on Thursday 22nd December and re-open 09:00 on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.

Wishing you and your loved ones good health and happiness for the festive season.

As headline Sponsors of the SME MK and Buckinghamshire Business Awards, Franklins Solicitors LLP were delighted to host the Winner’s Circle, an event dedicated to Gold and Silver winners of the 2022 SME Awards. The event was held on the premises of MacIntyre, the chosen charity partner for the Awards.

MacIntyre organised welcome drinks and a delicious buffet lunch, prepared by their dedicated catering team.

Damian Cummins, Awards Director, welcomed the guests and then handed over to Andrea Smith, Partner at Franklins. As a judge on the awards panel, Andrea recognised the high caliber of the award entries and congratulated the guests on their achievements.

Andrea also took the opportunity to talk about MK Food Reach, a project set-up in partnership with HIS Church Charity. MK Food Reach is a campaign where businesses and individuals can provide much needed support to people struggling with food poverty in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas. You can find out more here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mk-food-reach .

The event ended with a raffle, with the proceeds going to MacIntyre towards their excellent work to support people with learning disabilities.

It was a fantastic finish to the awards and we wish all the businesses that are going through to the SME National Business Awards later this year the best of luck.

MK Food Reach, an initiative to support local people affected by food poverty, has delivered its first artic lorry load of items to MK Food Bank and Baby Basics.

Food bank delivery

Jonathan Hambleton, Managing Partner Freeths MK and Ruth Short, Legal Secretary

The lorry contained 26 pallets of essential food and supplies, worth an estimated retail value of £52,000.

Speaking about the donation, Louisa Hobbs at MK Food Bank said:

“This delivery has arrived at a perfect time for us. We have found that as the cost of living has gone up, donations have dropped. MK Food bank helps around 450 people a week with food parcels. We also distribute food to other charities who support homeless people and the elderly. Initiatives such as MK Food Reach are so helpful and allow us to continue tackling local food poverty. We thank all the businesses who have kindly donated so far.”

The MK Food Reach campaign was originally set up to help tackle rising food poverty resulting from the cost of living crisis. With an increase in families who are affected and fewer food donations from the general public, local food banks are struggling to keep up with demand.

MK Food Reach is a fundraising platform where businesses can donate money to help facilitate the delivery food pallets to charities in MK. The funds are sent directly to HIS Church, a food redistribution charity. For every £10,000 raised, an artic lorry load containing 26 pallets of food and essential supplies will be distributed to local charities in and around Milton Keynes.
Business who kindly donated to the first MK food Reach delivery include Cawleys, Freeths Solicitors LLP, Mazars, and 42 Consulting.

As well as making a generous donation, Cawleys kindly provided a lorry and driver to transport the goods from Lincolnshire to Milton Keynes. Anna Cawley, Strategy and Communications Director at Cawleys said:

“At Cawleys we have always believed it is important to support the local community. We know that MK Food Bank will be able to help hundreds of people with this donation and we’re delighted to get involved. I hope that other businesses will also show their support to continue this initiative in the future.”

Jonathan Hambleton, Managing Partner at Freeths Solicitors said:

“When I was approached and asked to consider supporting MK Food Reach I immediately knew that this was an initiative that Freeths should support. MK is a thriving business community, and Freeths is very much part of this, but life in MK is not easy for everyone at the moment. Freeths are pleased to be able to support MK Food Reach to deliver food to those who need it now. In addition to financial support, I was delighted that a number of Freeths’ staff have volunteered to work to support Food Reach —demonstrating a real commitment to the local community.”

MK Food Reach needs the support of the local business community to be able to continue delivering much needed food supplies to tackle food poverty in MK. To donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mk-food-reach 

Franklins Solicitors are delighted to announce that Mandip Bhachu LLM, LLB (Hons) has joined the Family Law team, based in Milton Keynes.  Mandip is a Resolution Accredited specialist solicitor in family finance and children.  She is also a Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer. With 25 years’ experience in family law, she joins the team with expertise in:

Mandip adds “I am passionate about family law and dispute resolution. I pride myself in getting an end result that is best for the family as a whole. I am, at all times, professional and focused while being empathetic and sensitive to the individual needs of my clients.”

For further advice and assistance, please contact our Family Law Team on 01908 660966/ 01604 828282 / or email family@franklins-sols.co.uk

Franklins Solicitors LLP has donated pallets with essential food and supplies worth a retail value of £20,000 to eight food banks across Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire. The pallets will provide food and essential items to hundreds of local families living in poverty.

As sponsors of the SME Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire Business Awards, Franklins had the opportunity to provide promotional giveaways to guests at the awards. Rather than do this, they took the decision to invest in food pallets to help struggling adults and children. In partnership with His Church, a food redistribution charity, during May and June they delivered pallets to the following local charities:

Aylesbury Vineyard Church, One Nation, One Can Trust, Baby Basics, MK Food Bank, Milton Keynes Community Fridge, The Bus Shelter MK and MK Melting Pot.

The charities were delighted to receive the food pallets and explained the difference they would make. Melanie Lewis from Baby Basics, one of the charities who received a donation commented:

‘This really is an absolutely perfect donation for us. Thank you to Franklins Solicitors and His Church. Long may they continue being able to support the people who need us.’

Speaking about the decision to donate food pallets instead of corporate giveaways, Andrea Smith, Partner at Franklins Solicitors said:

‘The cost of living crisis has affected everyone, especially lower income families. We wanted to play our part in making a difference and decided the money we would have invested into corporate giveaways would be better spent on supplies to help feed our local communities.”

Richard Humphrey, Director of Operations at His Church Charity explained more about the difference the donations have made:

‘We were absolutely delighted when Franklins decided to mark their 40th Anniversary celebrations by making a contribution towards the admin and logistics costs associated with our charitable redistributions. This generous donation enabled His Church to distribute over 10,000 meals to vulnerable people in the Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire areas. Kudos to Franklins for reallocating a budget for corporate giveaways, in order to give meaningful support to the local community, this is truly commendable social responsibility and I hope their example will inspire other businesses to follow suit.’

As a result of this initiative, MK Food Reach has been set up to offer ongoing support to help with the local food crisis. Every time £10,000 is raised – enough to fill an artic lorry with 26 pallets of food (retail value of approximately £52,000) a lorry will bring the much needed food to the City for distribution. To get involved, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mk-food-reach  or email mkfoodreach@outlook.com