Trainees in action: making an impact beyond the office

Every September, the trainees host a coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan. Trainees are encouraged to bake something in exchange for donations, everything from simple (but delicious) brownies to creations worthy of a 'Bake Off' showstopper challenge. 

It’s also a great opportunity for colleagues to pause, gather for a cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy a chat over homemade cake.

Personally, Macmillan is a charity close to my heart, as they supported a member of my family following a cancer diagnosis. Just £673 funds a Macmillan support worker for an entire week. 

Our fundraising page for this year is still open, so if you enjoyed one of our bakes , please consider donating! 

Russell-Cooke has strong links with Kingston Hospital Charity and seeks to support the local community in Kingston whenever possible. 

For years, we have supported the charity by collecting presents for children who will be on the paediatric ward over the festive period. The staff have spoken first-hand about the difference the presents make to the children and so we return to this gift appeal year on year to spread local festive cheer.

In an effort to surpass our previous charitable achievements, last Christmas we expanded our usual collection of children’s gifts to include gifts for adults too. 

There was such a generous response last year that Santa needed four trainee helpers to help transport all the gifts to the hospital! 

Last year, we tried something new: a firm-wide wardrobe spring clean. The response was incredible. We sorted the donations into work-appropriate items for Smart Works, which supports women preparing to re-enter the workforce, and casual or men’s clothing for Traid, which helps reduce textile waste and keep clothes out of landfill.

Russell-Cooke is passionate about both increasing gender equality within the workforce (did you know 46% of our partners are women?) and focussing on sustainability (we even keep bees on our Putney office rooftop!), so these charities were a perfect fit.  

It was a brand-new initiative dreamed up by one of our trainees and pitched to the firm’s Fundraising and Outreach Committee, showing just how much freedom and flexibility we are given. 

The trainees help organise participation in various walks to raise money for the London Legal Support Trust, which funds Law Centres and pro bono agencies in and around London.

As the cost of living rises, the need for free legal help with debt, benefits, housing, asylum and domestic violence is now greater than ever. The London Legal Support Trust supports over 100 organisations in London and the South East each year, helping them provide more specialist legal advice for free to the community.

A large number of Russell-Cooke employees put on their best, comfiest trainers to walk (or even run!) varying distances. In June, we participated in the London Legal Walk and we are set to join the Walk the Thames event on Saturday 4 October 2025. 

These are just a flavour of the charitable projects our trainees lead. We’re proud to support such a diverse range of causes and to show that, at Russell-Cooke, making a difference starts from day one.

Getting involved in the firm’s charitable initiatives is more than giving back; it is an opportunity for trainees to develop practical skills and professional confidence. We take responsibility for organising events, coordinating donations, and thinking creatively about how to maximise impact. From planning logistics for fundraising walks to strategising how to collect and deliver gifts, trainees learn project management, teamwork and leadership skills that complement our legal training.