Lord Joffe and Leigh Day & Co hosted a reception in the River Room at the House of Lords on Wednesday 3 June 2009. Leigh Day & Co has supported the work of the
Canon Collins Trust for many years and was delighted to be able to invite leading members of the legal community to the evening where they heard about the work of the trust.
“It is through initiatives such as the Canon Collins scholarship programme that we can be sure that poverty will not be the legacy left to future southern Africans."
Nelson Mandela
Canon Collins Trust
The Canon Collins Trust was established in 1981, originally to help South African and Namibian political refugees gain education in the UK, denied them under the apartheid system. In 1990, following the release of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners and the unbanning of anti-apartheid organisations, Canon Collins Trust developed a scholarship programme in South Africa. In 1999 the Trust expanded its remit and begun supporting small educationally focused projects, and students from Angola, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi as well as South Africa and Namibia.
In 2000, Leigh Day & Co awarded three legal scholarships in a scheme devised in conjunction with the Canon Collins Trust and the University of Western Cape. The scholarships are for black students to study law in South Africa and cover their tuition and residence fees for the duration of their studies. All the students are chosen from deprived backgrounds. Leigh Day continues to sponsor law students each year and is about to reach the milestone of seeing 50 students through the LLB course in South Africa.
The House of Lords reception
Guests at the reception were welcomed to the River Room at the House of Lords by the Lord Speaker, The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Hayman who talked about the charitable work undertaken by many members of the House and what a pleasure it was to be able to approve the use of the magnificent accommodation for such events. Lord Joffe then talked about the history of the Trust and how he became involved with it. Russell Levy, partner at Leigh Day, spoke about the Leigh Day legal scholarships which have funded many young African students through their legal studies in South Africa adding that it was a continuing pleasure to support the work of the Trust.
"Today, Canon Collins Trust contributes to development by building the knowledge and skills of local people and communities through higher education scholarships and educational programmes in ten southern African countries."
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
Levi Mvula then spoke to guests. Levi is currently completing a Masters at the University of Essex on human rights law after which he will return to Malawi and continue with his teaching work in the country. He spoke movingly about the barriers he has overcome to reach this stage in his life and expressed his gratitude to the work of the Trust and all its supporters who have funded his studies in the UK. Finally Sarah Nancollas, chief executive of the Trust spoke about raising funds. Money raised in the UK goes much further in Southern Africa than it does in the UK as it costs about £2000 to pay for one year’s undergraduate studies. She encouraged everyone present to spread the word about the Canon Collins Trust and to donate to the cause of supporting education in Africa.
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