International law firm Pinsent Masons held their first Junior Cricket Festival at Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
Sixty children took part from the Handsworth area and played a Kwik cricket tournament in the under 10 and under 11 category at the Colts Ground.
The festival was part of the Pinsent Masons community relations programme which enables staff in office time to assist coaching sessions at schools run by the Handsworth Cricket Club in partnership with Chance to Shine.
Launched in 2005, Chance to Shine is designed to encourage more children to play cricket by bringing comprehensive cricket programmes to a third of all state schools in its first ten years. The initiative is part funded by the Government, and is also aiming to raise a further £25m in private funding.
William Franklin, Tax and Share Plans director at Pinsent Masons in Birmingham said: “With the disappearance of so many school and public playing fields, cricket has been under pressure in recent years and many state schools have abandoned the game. So we are delighted to be able to offer practical support to Chance to Shine.”
Pinsent Masons recently picked up the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Education Award for its partnership with Manchester Academy, Moss Side at the Business in the Community (BITC) Awards for Excellence. HRH The Prince of Wales presented the award to senior partner, Chris Mullen, at a garden reception at his home Clarence House.
Since 2007 Pinsent Masons has delivered a career orientated mentoring programme and a reading and maths support programme at Manchester Academy. This has provided an enriching experience for students and at the same time a rewarding and sustainable development opportunity for staff.
Camilla Fletcher, head of EMEA Philanthropy and Community Engagement, Bank of America Merrill Lynch said: “Pinsent Masons’ partnership with Manchester Academy is a fantastic example of the measured difference a company can have in the development of soft, business and academic skills within a challenging school. Building on a successful number and reading partner programme both Manchester Academy and Pinsent Masons have been able to create programmes that develop emotional intelligence, innovation and aspirations of the students.
“This holistic approach through true partnership makes Pinsent Masons a well deserving winner of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Education Award, supported by the Department for Children Schools and Families.”
Jonathan Fortnam, CR Partner at Pinsent Masons, said: “We are delighted to have received this award. It reflects our firm-wide commitment to ‘inspiring young lives’ through inspired partnership with schools throughout the UK and overseas.”
