On 12 April I’ll be running the Brighton Marathon (my first ever marathon) to raise funds for Islington Legal Advice Centre (ILAC) — a volunteer-run, free legal advice clinic where I volunteer as a lawyer. I’ve been volunteering with ILAC since March 2024, and I’ve seen first-hand how important this service is for people who have nowhere else to turn.

ILAC is the only remaining part of the London Free Legal Advice Society (Registered Charity No. 261310), which has provided free legal support since 1971. We operate out of the basement of St Mary’s Church on Upper Street in Islington, offering a weekly drop-in clinic every Thursday evening from 7pm, as well as remote advice by email, telephone and Zoom.

The people who come to ILAC are often dealing with urgent, stressful situations — usually on very low incomes, and unable to access legal help elsewhere. We advise across a wide range of issues including housing, employment and family law, as well as matters such as consumer problems, civil disputes, wills and probate, and personal injury. Sometimes we can give one-off advice that helps someone take the next step; other times, people need support over months (and occasionally years) as their case progresses. Where legal aid is available, we help clients understand how to access it and find reputable representation. Where it isn’t, we do what we can to help people navigate an intimidating system, including those forced to represent themselves.

This work matters more than ever. With the ongoing effects of legal aid cuts, many people are left without any realistic route to advice or representation — even when the stakes are incredibly high. ILAC provides a vital safety net in the community, and for many of our clients, it is genuinely their last option.

Each year we help around 500 clients, split roughly 50/50 between new and returning clients, which also shows how often problems can’t be resolved in a single appointment and why continued support matters.

Although ILAC is entirely volunteer-run, the clinic still has essential running costs. We need around £3,000–£5,000 per year to keep the service going — covering the practical basics that allow us to stay open, accessible, and able to provide free legal help to those who need it most.

If you’re able to donate, I’d be hugely grateful. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference and helps keep ILAC running.

Thank you so much for your support