On Saturday 2 May, five colleagues at Scott Bailey Solicitors in Lymington will be taking on the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge – a 106 km continuous walk around the island, all to be completed within 24 hours. Read on!
The challenge
On the 2nd of May, five Scott Bailey colleagues will be taking on the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge – a 106 km continuous walk around the island, all to be completed within 24 hours. Yes, 106 km. And yes, in one go.
The challenge began, as many things do, with a simple idea. Back in December, Partner Ben Ironmonger decided he fancied setting himself a goal for 2026. That idea quickly gathered momentum, and before long he had recruited a brilliant team of willing volunteers from across the firm to join him.
The people taking part
Taking part alongside Ben are Katie Dougan from the Wills, Trusts and Probate team, and apprentice solicitors Holly Mitchell, Joseph Hammond and Benjamin Bethell. Between them, they are bringing a mix of determination, humour and just the right amount of stubbornness needed to get through something of this scale.
The 3am start!
Those who know Ben will already be imagining the running commentary that will accompany the walk. There will no doubt be a combination of motivational speeches, light-hearted complaints and the kind of sarcasm that somehow keeps everyone moving forward, even at 3am.
Supporting people living with cancer
Of course, the challenge is about more than just the distance. The team is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that provides vital care and guidance to people living with cancer across the UK.
“I’d wager everyone knows someone who’s been diagnosed with cancer”, says Ben. “Every one of them deserves the best support to meet their needs. That’s where Macmillan comes in – to help everyone living with cancer across the UK get the support they need, and transform cancer care for everyone who will be diagnosed in the future.”
It is a cause that resonates with many of us, and one that makes every mile feel that bit more worthwhile. For two members of the team, this fundraising challenge is particularly meaningful.
Katie lost her best friend Dani to cancer, aged just 34. Her memorial bench looks over the sea towards the Isle of Wight and Katie says she knows she’ll be there, spurring her on.
Joseph is taking part in this challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support because his dad is currently battling cancer. At such a hard time, this challenge felt like a positive way to show support for his dad, and for the people who help families like his.
Doing it together
Events like this have a way of bringing people together. Whether it is colleagues supporting one another through training, friends and family cheering from afar, or the local community getting behind the fundraising effort, there is something incredibly motivating about knowing you are not doing it alone.
Training is already well underway, with early mornings, long weekend walks and a fair amount of preparation going into making sure the team is ready. Everyone at Scott Bailey is cheering them on.
For Benjamin, the challenge is perhaps a little tougher. “Over the last few years I have suffered with multiple injuries including a torn ACL and slipped discs in my back, rendering me immobile for long periods of time. I am never taking my health for granted again and I am so proud to now be in a position to attempt this challenge for a cause as wonderful as Macmillan.”
If you would like to follow their progress or show your support, please do get involved. Every message of encouragement and every donation makes a real difference, both to the team taking part and to the people Macmillan supports every day.
We will be cheering them on every step of the way.
Just giving link: https://www.justgiving.com/team/scott-bailey-llp
Scott Bailey will be sharing updates on the team’s progress as they prepare for the event, and will be sharing live updates across the firm’s various social media channels:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/scottbaileyllp
https://www.facebook.com/ScottBaileyLLP/
https://www.instagram.com/scottbaileyllp/
For more information on Scott Bailey, including the full breadth of services:
Contact Scott Bailey for a confidential initial meeting
Call- 01590 676933
Email-
Website- scottbailey.co.uk
Sign up for Scott Bailey's newsletter here
Find out more about Scott Bailey LLP, including opening hours and social media links.
About Scott Bailey LLP
Founded in 1930, Scott Bailey has grown to become a leading firm in the New Forest, providing a full range of legal services to private individuals and businesses. Services for individuals include Residential Conveyancing, Divorce, Family, Wills Trusts & Probate, Litigation & Disputes.
SME business legal services include Corporate, Commercial, Intellectual Property, Dispute Resolution, Landlord & Tenant, Insolvency and Employment Law. Scott Bailey LLP is one of only a very few firms based in the New Forest providing these specialist services.
The first firm in the region to receive the Law Society's prestigious LEXCEL award for high standards of practice management and customer care, Scott Bailey LLP promises top-quality, professional help from a team of expert solicitors who will put your best interests at the heart of their work.
Scott Bailey was delighted and proud to win "Business of the Year" at the 2023 New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards.
