As a firm based in the north east, which has been established for over 300 years, Gibson & Co. takes its role in the community seriously. Over the past year staff have been involved in various roles in the community, including individual positions of responsibility and fundraising activities.
Community Involvement
Staff are encouraged to take an active role in the community.
Harry Chrisp is a trustee of the Northumberland Hussars as well as The Light Dragoons. Separately Harry is a Rural Crime Volunteer with Northumbria Police and has been appointed the Under Sheriff for Northumberland and Bewick upon Tweed.
Jane Gibson is a trustee of Right2resist a charity which is developing free apps used for deterrent, proof and alert for victims of crime. Elvina Fooy is a trustee for a charity based in Gateshead called Skills 4 Work (Gateshead) Ltd, this charity helps young people with disabilities and mental health conditions to transition from education into the workplace and maintain positive mental wellbeing. Toby Gibson is the Vice Chairman of The Prep Schools Trust and Lewis Fairfax is a member of the Newcastle Law Society’s standing committee.
Chris Sheppard and the Private Client department participate in a number of will writing events such as the Alzheimer’s Society Will to Remember Scheme, Cancer UK will writing scheme and are part of the Free Wills Network. He also gave two talks at Hexham Priory School for the parents of children with special needs on the legal issues that they need to consider and prepare for to support their vulnerable children in the future.
Chris also has a close relationship with the Tynedale Hospice and was instrumental to setting up their will writing charity fundraising event which occurs each year. A total of £4,340 was raised through the events for the charity in 2024.
The Firm, with the help of Ashley Shickle and Iona Campbell, is now a designated donation point for Smart Works Newcastle a charity that supports North East women into employment through the power of high quality interview clothing and coaching.
Social Involvement
Where possible, fee earners attend various social networking and charity events. Events attended include the Law Society dinner, the annual Trinity Chambers Business and Property Conference and The Solicitors Group Residential Conference.
Both Gibson & Co. offices regularly conduct charitable events such as afternoon teas supporting Breast Cancer Now and Christmas Jumper Days supporting Save the Children.
The Firm also fields at least one team each year to attend the Savills annual Christmas Quiz.