A LAW firm is signing up to raise thousands for a charity which provided “stunning” treatment for the son of one of its consultant solicitors.

Staff at Birkett Long in Colchester have chosen Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research as its Charity of the Year.

It is a cause close to staff members’ hearts after it cared for Rob George, the son of former managing partner Philip George, last year.

Rob, now 20, spent over five months undergoing chemotherapy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and is now in remission. Philip, who is now a consultant with the firm, said he was “touched and thrilled” at the choice.

“When you are told that a member of your family has leukaemia, there is no notice period.

“There is no time to sort yourself out or make any kind of plan. You are thrown into a world of fear and exhaustion.

“But my family, like thousands of others, is so grateful that the angels of the NHS and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research were there to support us. They provided the most stunning treatment when we needed them most.

He added: “I cannot think of a more worthy cause for the firm to be supporting.”

Staff at Birkett Long, which has an office in Crouch Street, will support the charity until next June with events such as cake sales and dress-down days. Last year, �3,550 was raised for the firm’s chosen good cause, the Christopher John Holmes Charitable Fund, set up by Birkett Long’s former senior partner Christopher Holmes.

“He was the driving force behind St Helena Hospice in Colchester for which he received an OBE, while he also established Essex Macmillan Cancer Support. Sadly, Christopher was diagnosed with a brain tumour shortly after he retired and passed away in March 2010,” said solicitor Martin Hopkins

“Before he died, he set up the Christopher John Holmes Charitable Fund, as he wanted part of his estate to be used for the good of others.”

“The �3,550 raised by Birkett Long has gone into Christopher’s endowment fund which is administered by the Essex Community Foundation. From there, grants will be distributed to good causes around the county. It is wonderful that we were able to raise this money in Christopher’s memory, which in turn will benefit so many other people.”