Baublefest 2024

Help launch talented legal careers this Christmas with the Society’s Baublefest campaign, raising funds for the Lawscot Foundation.

This festive season, as we reflect on the year’s achievements and challenges, the Lawscot Foundation has launched its annual Christmas fundraising campaign, Baublefest, to help talented students from less-advantaged backgrounds realise their dreams of studying law. By providing financial bursaries and mentorship, the Lawscot Foundation supports these students in overcoming barriers, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the legal profession. Each year we face the challenge of having to select the students we can support, as funds are sadly insufficient to support all applications.

So what support does the Lawscot Foundation provide?

For those unfamiliar with the cause, we currently have 37 scholars receiving financial support and a further 11 extended scholars who receive mentoring as part of our wider commitment to developing young people within the profession. Due to the increased costs these students have faced over the past few years, we decided to increase our funding to £2,750 last year, from £2,500. The combination of rising costs and the ever increasing amount of applications we receive means Baublefest is integral to ensuring we can continue our mission to supporting students from less-advantaged backgrounds.

Megan Allan, a former Lawscot Foundation scholar summed up the impact of your donations and the charity’s support earlier this year, sharing with Lawscot Foundation Chair, Christine McLintock, that the “financial support was literally life changing. It really isn’t an overstatement to say that without it, I wouldn’t have been able to buy books, I wouldn’t have been able to buy a laptop.”

The start of this year’s Christmas campaign

You might have noticed that our goal is to raise £7,500 or more, which will fund three exceptional students for a year. Already, thanks to the generosity of our five sponsors - LawWare, Amiqus, Denovo, The Cashroom and Pinsent Masons - we’ve made a fantastic start, raising £2,500 in the early stages of the campaign. We are deeply grateful to these sponsors, and indeed everyone who has decided to donate, for their support, which sets the tone for the goodwill and community spirit we know the legal profession can muster.

Now, we are turning to you—our colleagues in the profession—to help us bridge the gap. We would love to support more scholars like Megan, who are more than deserving of having a seat at the table.

The impact of your donation

In my position as Fundraising Chair I have seen firsthand how the Foundation transforms lives. These students are among the brightest and most determined, but without financial support, their potential might go untapped. With the mentorship and bursaries we provide, they can focus on excelling in their studies and preparing for promising legal careers.

There are lots I can say personally about how Baublefest and the Lawscot Foundation has changed lives, but it might be easier to hear from the students themselves. Earlier this year, the Law Society of Scotland spoke with students Ben Campbell, Harley Kirk and Megan Allan, who put that support into perspective much better than I can!

On behalf of the charity, I extend heartfelt thanks to all who have donated and those who are considering donating. Together, we are investing in the future of the profession and ensuring that talent and determination, not financial circumstance, determine success.

Please consider making a donation this Christmas and help us empower students to achieve their dream of a career in law. Every contribution counts and helps us get closer to our goal.

To donate and for more information, visit our Baublefest page. Join us in making a lasting difference this festive season. Thank you for your generosity and support.

Written by Ally Thomson, Fundraising Chair of the Lawscot Foundation