Following a nomination, application process and staff vote, Sands is delighted to have been chosen as the new charity partner for Allen & Overy Belfast.

The international law firm have two sites in the UK (London and Belfast), and both support local charities.   

The two-year partnership will see the firm’s staff take part in fundraising activity, to support our Northern Ireland Network and bereaved families living locally.

Gary Tearle, an Allen & Overy Belfast employee and bereaved father, nominated Sands and was instrumental in making the partnership happen.

Gary said: “Thank you to everyone at Allen & Overy Belfast who voted for all the charities. I am very grateful that Sands Northern Ireland has been elected as our new local charity partner.

“The aim of the partnership is not just to raise funds, but also to raise awareness about baby loss, the issues surrounding it and to help others left bereaved understand that they are not alone.

“My involvement, and therefore this partnership, with Sands Northern Ireland only came about due to my daughter Sarah’s death. It is our family’s hope that at the very least her death can help others.”

Nearly 400 people at Allen & Overy’s Belfast office selected Sands. With 47% of the votes cast, Sands Northern Ireland, (which is the Northern Ireland Network of Sands), was the clear winner.

Steven Guy, our Northern Ireland Network Co-ordinator, said: “The Sands Northern Ireland Network are delighted to have been chosen as the charity partner of Allen & Overy Belfast for the next two years. With 47% of the overall staff vote, this is a clear show of support for Gary who nominated us from his colleagues.

“We are looking forward to developing a close relationship with the Allen & Overy Belfast team over the next two years and already have lots of fundraising ideas.”

The company’s fundraising will help improve the bereavement care parents and families receive in hospital and fund 11 local Sands Groups across the country.  

Run on a voluntary basis by people who have themselves experienced the death of a baby, our groups exist to help bereaved parents and families for as long as they need it, through either regular support meetings, telephone support or email support.

Susy Gould-Obiora, our Senior Corporate and Trusts Fundraiser, said: “Our vision at Sands is for a world where fewer babies die, and anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best care and support for as long as they need.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Allen & Overy Belfast for the next two years and would like to thank everyone who voted for us. Partnerships like this ensure that Sands can raise vital awareness around baby loss and continue to carry out its important work.”

To find out how your company can support Sands, please click here or email Susy in our corporate partnerships team at: susy.gould-obiora@sands.org.uk