I have somehow agreed to climb off the edge of the 164ft Mersey Tunnel Ventilation Shaft on 26th September 2010 to raise some badly needed funds for the Bar Pro Bono Unit.

The Unit is a brilliant little charity (yes I know I am biased!) that works to get barristers to do free work giving advice and representation to those who cannot afford it, legal aid does not cover but who desperately need it.

It covers all areas of law and all of England and Wales from an office of only 6 people. All the matching of volunteer barristers with cases is done remotely and the willingness to help of legal prefessionals is brilliant.

The demand for this help is growing hugely. Imagine how terrifying the prospect of going to court, whether it be for a family matter, employment tribunal because you're been fired or treated unfairly, a privacy matter that the newspapers have written something untrue about you etc is, and then think how much worse it would be without a lawyer to help. 

Some of the types of cases helped last year included:

~ Grandparents seeking guardianship of their grandchildren whose parents could not provide a stable life for them,

~ Families fighting for information disclosure and proper investigation into the tragic death of family members

~ really sad cases of homes being repossessed and many, many others.

Please dig deep and help me raise as much as I can for this brilliant cause (and because I really am terrified at the thought of doing this!)

Thanks

Natalia

xx