P.A. Duffy and Co Solicitors launches new charity partnerships

A new partnership between P.A. Duffy and Co Solicitors and two bereavement organisations will seek to raise valuable funds to provide support for those suffering the loss of loved ones.

Staff and directors at the law firm, which has offices in Belfast, Dungannon and Dublin, have chosen Cruse Bereavement Support and Memory Stones of Love as partners for 2023-2024.

Plans are already afoot to kick off fundraising with a 5K run in Dungannon on September 10.

P.A. Duffy and Co Solicitors

Director at P.A. Duffy and Co Solicitors Conal McGarrity said it was an honour to help both groups.

“As the instructed solicitors for Northern Ireland Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, we are dealing with many bereaved families, helping to give them a voice and the opportunity for their story to be heard,” he said.

“Bereavement support is vital in helping people through one of the most painful and difficult times in life and we are so pleased to be able to support Cruse and Memory Stones of Love this year.”

Thelma Abernethy, Head of Cruse NI, said they were delighted with the partnership and looked forward to working with P.A. Duffy and Co Solicitors on many varied and creative fundraising activities throughout the year.

She added: “Cruse is the leading bereavement charity in Northern Ireland, providing specialist support to children, young people and adults suffering devastating grief. Partnering with PA Duffy & Co will enable us to continue to deliver and extend our bereavement services and support to more people, more quickly.”

Memory Stones of Love is a community group set up by Ciaran Ward and Brenda Doherty, who lost loved ones during Covid-19.

Brenda said: “Our families, like so many others who’ve lost loved ones during the pandemic, had no goodbyes. Traditional funerals were restricted, and the norms were suspended. The next chapter in the journey is about to begin as we explore with Cruse how we can move forward supporting families who know loss during the pandemic.”

Ciaran added: “It is very important that we continue to campaign for a permanent memorial but also strive to ensure history reflects the reality of the losses during the pandemic, so they never become statistics. We are thankful to the team at P.A. Duffy and Co Solicitors for all they plan to do over the coming year.”