Over the final weekend of August 2025 #TeamOrrick will be taking on its third and toughest cycling challenge yet – tackling the Alps as we ride from Orrick’s Geneva office to Orrick’s Milan office. Over the course of four days we will ride through three countries – Switzerland, France and Italy – covering 460km / 286 miles and climbing over 4,700 metres / 15,400 feet.

We are riding for LawWorks’ Voices for Families, a project that advocates for terminally ill children and their families by providing free legal advice in the areas of social housing and community care. This is an organisation that is close to our hearts. We have been working together for the last 6 years and have seen the impact of their work firsthand.

Each participant is self-funding the ride, so all donations go directly to the charity. Orrick have kindly agreed to match all donations up to $5,000, so any donation you are able to make will be twice as effective. Thank you very much for your support!

Voice for Families - a case study

Last year, a team of Orrick lawyers volunteered through the LawWorks Voices for Families project to help the parents of O, a 17-year-old with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, a rare condition causing severe epilepsy and complex health needs requiring constant care. The family faced a major challenge when their local care board proposed reducing O’s care package from 7 nights to 4, despite already struggling to provide the full 7-night coverage. This posed a serious risk to O’s health and wellbeing, as well as to her family. The Orrick team advocated for maintaining the full care package, and when the care board failed to engage, they assisted the family in submitting a complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. The Ombudsman found the proposed reduction unwarranted, and the care board subsequently reassessed O’s needs, allowing her to retain the 7-night package.

Later, the care board refused to permit the use of a bag valve mask—essential emergency equipment for assisted ventilation during O’s severe seizures—in her care plan. They also halted training for O’s care team and instructed staff not to use the mask, contrary to medical advice. This decision put O at significant risk, as shown by an incident where her oxygen levels dropped dangerously low due to mismanagement by untrained staff. The Orrick team intervened, referencing the Ombudsman’s findings and unanimous clinical support for the equipment. Their persistent advocacy led to the care board approving the use of the bag valve mask in emergencies.

The care board has since apologised for their lack of engagement, committed to reviewing their handling of O’s case, and begun updating her care plans in consultation with her family. Comprehensive training for O’s care team is scheduled to take place soon. As a result, O’s care and safety have been significantly improved, resulting in life-changing and potentially life-saving outcomes.