Special day at the office for Bell Gully's summer clerks

Monday 4 February 2008

Bell Gully's summer clerks have put their painting, gardening and cooking skills to good use, helping out leukaemia patients and their families for a day as part of the firm's ongoing support for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).

Summer clerks visited the homes of people affected by leukaemia and related blood conditions in Auckland and Wellington on 30 January. They toiled in gardens, felled trees, cleaned fishponds - showing their support and making a positive difference by helping sufferers and their families get through some of life's less important chores.

The chance for Bell Gully summer clerks to give something back to the community is designed to broaden the traditional experience of a summer clerk at a corporate law firm and is a part of the leadership programme they undertake.

The LBF is a non-profit organisation which provides much-needed information and support to sufferers of leukaemia and related blood conditions and every year partners and staff from the firm volunteer to have their heads shaved as part of the Shave-for-a-Cure Challenge, raising tens of thousands of dollars for the LBF. This is the first time Bell Gully summer clerks have worked with the LBF and executive director Pru Etcheverry says their "great energy and attitude made for a really excellent experience".

Sandra Jungen, a summer clerk from Otago University, went to work creating a flower garden and was so touched by the experience of getting to know someone suffering the disease and helping brighten her day that she hopes to continue her volunteering efforts back in Dunedin.

Tim Wixon, also from Otago University, was part of the crew water-blasting and painting the LBF headquarters in Epsom. "I was so impressed by the staff and their commitment and passion for the cause," says Tim. "It was one of the highlights of the summer clerk programme for me, a really great experience."

Some set to work in the kitchen, baking scones and pikelets, and brewing tea and coffee to serve at a morning tea for patients at Auckland and Wellington hospitals.

The last two years summer clerks have assisted Plunket by providing a much-needed makeover to clinics in Auckland and Wellington.