Couchman Hanson’s Appeal helps displaced young people

Over 40 young people from Afghanistan are now all kitted down and ready to start school thanks to the donation of backpacks and stationery items, kindly supplied by the charity Stripey Stork as part of Couchman Hanson Solicitors’ recent appeal.

Couchman Hanson Solicitors ran the appeal to raise funds and awareness for their chosen charities, Big Leaf Foundation, the Haslewey and YouthLine. As part of the appeal, the solicitors’ firm invited customers to donate specific items needed by Big Leaf Foundation to support young people from Afghanistan starting senior school this year. Clients visiting the firm’s offices in Haslemere and Crowthorne rose to the challenge, kindly donating a range of brand-new water bottles, note books and other items. Then the appeal was given an unexpected and dramatic boost when Reigate charity Stripey Stork heard about it and offered to provide each young person with a backpack and contents.

Kayte Cable of Big Leaf Foundation said:

"All these items are hugely important to the young people we support who are often very dedicated and motivated students without the means to purchase their own study materials. Having these bags means they're prepared, confident and comfortable; not standing out from the rest of the student body due to their lack of study equipment."

Nicola Dawes DL from Stripey Stork added:

“Stripey Stork were pleased to be able to step in and help by providing these packs. As one of the UKs biggest banks with a focus on supporting families in Surrey, this was just the sort of request that we are well placed to respond to. We know how important it is to feel confident and prepared for school and we wish these young people well.”

Alexandra Couchman of Couchman Hanson Solicitors said:

“We’re so glad to have run this appeal to support several of the local good causes that we believe in at Couchman Hanson. Meeting Stripey Stork was hugely serendipitous and we thank them for their amazing help concluding our recent appeal and reaching our target. We will be continuing to support Big Leaf Foundation on an ongoing basis and applaud their vital work in providing opportunities and activities to combat social isolation for displaced young people in Surrey.”

Couchman Hanson are proud to be sponsoring a hen (part of the Haslemere Hens community art project - https://www.facebook.com/haslemerehens/).   

Our hen was designed and decorated for us by local children, who painted it themselves and covered it in their own messages about peace, friendship and kindness, and then went on to also choose the name for a shortlist of ideas.  

 The children did this on a Saturday, outside our offices, and dozens of local families came and contributed their ideas and messages.   We are really proud of the fact that our hen was a genuine community effort, as well as sharing very positive messages.

Chicken ‘Nuggets of HENlightenment’, was then sent off to be united with the many other hens from other community groups, businesses and art groups.  She has now been varnished and is about to go on display at the official launch at the end of June. 

Our hen will then be arriving at the Haslemere offices week commencing 27 June to display in the window and will be with us until end of September.

All the hens are part of an auction and proceeds from our hen sales (if she is sold!) will go to the Haslemere Museum:  https://www.haslemerehens.co.uk/auctions.php. 

Here’s our hen in all her glory on the Haslemere Hen’s website.
https://www.haslemerehens.co.uk/hen.php?henno=48&mode=

From the 24th – 26th June all 80 Haslemere Hens will be in one place at the Haslemere Educational Museum.  There is an open house viewing on Saturday 25th (10am till 4pm) and Sunday 26th (11am till 3pm).