The annual Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings Legal Walks are coming up this month! These are 10km sponsored walks which raise funds for free frontline legal advice agencies in these areas, including Citizens Advice, Money Advice Plus, Possability People and the Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings advice centres run by BHT Sussex. With many more people in rent arrears and other debt as a result of the pandemic and lockdown, these services are currently in huge demand.
The Legal Walks are organised by London Legal Support Trust, which supports law centres and legal advice agencies in London and the South East. Staff from our advice centres will join other local lawyers and advisers on these walks to raise funds as well as awareness at a time when our services are needed more than ever.
The number of people seeking help with debt, benefits and employment has increased dramatically since the start of the pandemic. At the same time, local agencies are struggling to maintain services with the increased challenges created by COVID-19 and the lockdown. With the ending of the eviction ban this month, our housing advisers are preparing to see an unprecedented number of people seeking their support to avoid homelessness.
The advice centres run by BHT Sussex provide specialist housing, benefits and money management advice, an immigration legal service, and a Court Duty Scheme which provides last-minute emergency advice for people facing eviction. Our Immigration Legal Service is the only legal aid representation and advice provider in Sussex for refugees and asylum seekers.
Sue Hennell, Senior Advice Manager for BHT Sussex, said:
We are so grateful to everyone who supports these walks every year, as they raise much needed funds for our advice centres and others providing essential advice to vulnerable local people.
In the current climate our services are under pressure as demand for them is particularly high. Fundraising events like this are really important in helping us to continue our work to ensure that people can stay in their homes, be supported, and have access to justice regardless of their circumstances.
Do you want to help BHT Sussex continue to provide life changing advice across Sussex?
Click here if you would like to sponsor our Brighton Advice Centre team
Click here if you would like to sponsor our Eastbourne Advice Centre team
Click here if you would like to sponsor our Hastings Advice Centre team
