Hay & Kilner colleagues step up for Action Foundation with Following Footsteps Challenge

Hay & Kilner colleagues step up for Action Foundation with Following Footsteps Challenge

Colleagues at Hay & Kilner are preparing to go the extra mile for the firm’s Charity of the Year, Action Foundation, by taking part in a month-long walking challenge throughout May.

Organised by the firm’s trainees, the Following Footsteps Challenge will see colleagues aim to collectively walk 1,898 miles during the month – the equivalent distance from Newcastle to Ukraine.

The distance reflects colleague Inna Ratsebarska’s journey to the UK, when she and her family sought asylum here in 2011, and highlights the importance of the support Action Foundation provides.

To help reach the target, colleagues are being encouraged to walk around 5km per person, per day, with weekly group walks taking place every Wednesday for those based in the office.

For an extra test of endurance, some of the team will also take on a marathon walk on Saturday 16th May where they will walk from the firm’s The Lumen headquarters in Newcastle City Centre to South Shields and back in a single day.

Action Foundation, based in Newcastle, supports refugees and people seeking asylum by providing safe accommodation, education and integration services, helping individuals and families rebuild their lives in the North East.

Inna arrived in the UK with her family after leaving Ukraine in search of safety. Like many who seek asylum, she experienced first-hand what it means to leave behind your home and family without knowing when, or if, you might see them again. The challenge of building a new life in an unfamiliar country, navigating complex systems, and at times feeling as though you don’t quite belong, is something she understands deeply.

Over time, Inna has gone on to build a successful legal career in the region and is now a solicitor in the Employment Team at Hay & Kilner. Inna’s journey has given her a powerful and personal insight into the realities faced by asylum seekers and refugees, and a strong connection to the work of Action Foundation, which supports individuals with rebuilding their lives with dignity and hope.

Inna Ratsebarska said: “I am incredibly proud to work at a firm that cares about and supports the community around it. I am truly grateful to be able to support Action Foundation this year and to play even a small part in helping others receive the support they need at such a critical time.” Bethany Herbertson of Hay & Kilner’s CRM Committee said: “Each year, our colleagues nominate charities that are close to their hearts and the final decision is made through a firm-wide vote. Action Foundation was a popular and strongly supported choice, reflecting our shared commitment to supporting those who are rebuilding their lives in the North East. We’re proud to support a charity that does such vital work in our local community.”

Vicky Miller from Action Foundation said: “Support from organisations like Hay & Kilner makes a huge difference to our work. Not only does it help us raise vital funds to continue providing accommodation, education and integration services, but it also shines a light on the experiences of refugees and people seeking asylum in our region. We’re incredibly grateful to be chosen as Hay & Kilner’s Charity of the Year and wish the team the best of luck with their fundraising challenge.”

By partnering with Action Foundation, Hay & Kilner is proud to support a charity that aligns closely with the firm’s values and commitment to making a positive impact across the region.

You can make a donation here.