11 Dec 2024
Hegarty Reflects on a Golden Year of Community Spirit and Giving Back
Peterborough office
48 Broadway, Peterborough Cambridgeshire, PE1 1YW
01733 346 333 01733 562 338 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukStamford office
10 Ironmonger Street, Stamford Lincolnshire, PE9 1PL
01780 752 066 01780 762 774 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukOakham office
66 South Street, Oakham Rutland, LE15 6BQ
01572 757 565 01572 720 555 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukMarket Deeping office
27a Market Place, Market Deeping, PE6 8EA
01778 230 120 01778 230 129 enquiries@hegarty.co.uk11 Dec 2024
2024 marked our 50th anniversary as a local solicitors firm. The past year has been a celebration of providing five decades of trusted legal companionship to people across the region. Importantly, it was also an opportunity to say a heartfelt thank-you to the communities that have supported the firm since its foundation in 1974.
Early last year, we announced an ambitious goal of completing 50 acts of community kindness (to match our 50 years in business) and pledged to raise £10,000 for four local charities over the twelve months of 2024.
The results far exceeded expectations, with us hitting our fundraising target early on in the second half of the year. Total monies raised reached to over £13,000 by December and our team also completed numerous community initiatives that touched the lives of people across the region.
At the heart of Hegarty’s fundraising efforts were four local charities:
Through creative and engaging fundraisers such as bake sales, raffles, and tombolas – as well as bigger, more physical challenges - Hegarty employees and community members alike came together to raise funds for these four great local causes.
Our 50 acts of community kindness throughout the year were all designed to give back to the communities that have supported us over the past 50 years.
Events included a SHINE charity virtual balloon race to support individuals affected by spina bifida or hydrocephalus, and Hegarty’s sponsorship of Circus Starr ensured disadvantaged and disabled children could enjoy a magical evening under the big top.
We hosted a quiz night for staff, family, and friends, and donated essential items to local causes, including food for Peterborough Soup Kitchen, Easter treats for Little Miracles, and pet supplies for Mutts Nutts Rescue.
The team also rolled up their sleeves for a litter-picking session in Stamford, where staff collected three bags of waste in just a few hours.
“Our 50 acts of kindness were a wonderful way to engage with the community,” said Kally Singh, Senior Partner at Hegarty. “It brought our team closer together and allowed us to make a tangible difference, no matter how small the gesture.”
In April, we organised a Virtual Cycle Challenge, aiming to cover 111 miles in just 10 hours - the equivalent distance of a virtual loop connecting our offices in Peterborough, Market Deeping, Stamford, and Oakham. Team members took turns on the bike throughout the day, reaching the distance target in just 7.5 hours.
But we didn’t stop there! With the upcoming opening of a new Bourne office, participants added the extra distance from Peterborough to Bourne and back, pedalling an incredible 150 miles by the end of the challenge - smashing the original distance goal and raising important funds in the process.
In June, 15 team members took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, a gruelling 24-mile hike with 1,600 meters of ascent, completed in under 12 hours. The route scaled the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, offering breath-taking views of the Yorkshire Dales.
Despite sore feet and sunburn, Team Hegarty was proud to complete the challenge while raising vital funds for the chosen charities.
We also got involved with some beloved community traditions, such as the Deepings and Oakham Christmas Markets.
The Hegarty team at Bourne have also been selling Christmas cards in support of Dementia Support South Lincs, further demonstrating the firm’s commitment to helping vulnerable members of the community.
“These events embody the festive spirit and bring people together,” said Kally. “We’re proud to support them, not only by sponsoring but by actively participating and giving back.”
Another significant moment in 2024 was when we opened our new offices in Bourne. This expansion symbolised our commitment to better serving the needs of clients across the region.
The grand opening of the Bourne office was celebrated with an open day, where local residents and businesses were invited to meet the team, explore the new facilities, and learn more about the services Hegarty offers.
In line with our 50th anniversary, we unveiled a fresh, modern look to symbolise our evolution over the years. The rebrand balanced innovation with tradition, maintaining the familiarity that clients trust while embracing a contemporary image that reflects the firm’s forward-thinking approach.
“This rebrand was an opportunity to celebrate our journey while looking to the future,” said Laura Charnley, Marketing Manager at Hegarty. “We’ve grown significantly over the past 50 years, and this fresh new look reflects where we’re headed as a firm.”
One of the standout moments of the year was our 50th-anniversary celebration at Peterborough Museum. Over 100 guests attended the event, which featured a timeline of Hegarty’s history, tours of the museum’s historic vaults, and heartfelt speeches from our senior partner.
“This event was a chance to reflect on our journey, celebrate our achievements, and thank the people who made it all possible,” said Kally. “From our founder, Richard Hegarty, to our dedicated team and loyal clients, everyone has played a role in making this milestone so special.”
With 2024 now behind us, we have had a chance to reflect on a year defined by generosity, community spirit, and shared purpose.
“2024 wasn’t just about celebrating the past; it was about building a legacy for the future,” said Kally. “We’re excited to continue growing as a firm and finding new ways to give back to the communities that mean so much to us.”
As we look to 2025 and beyond, our commitment to community remains steadfast. With a new office and team in Bourne and a fresh brand identity, we are poised for continued success.
“Thank you to everyone who supported us last year, whether through attending an event, donating to our fundraising efforts, or simply sharing a kind word,” said Kally. “Together, we made 2024 a year to remember - and we’re just getting started. Here’s to the next 50 years.”