Top fundraiser for Courthouse Rocks inspired by meal program
The bitter chill of a winter’s night never seems to break the warm goodwill London criminal lawyer Murray Neilson feels as he makes his usual exit from the side door of Wellington Street United Church knowing that people less fortunate have enjoyed a hot and hearty meal.
Mr. Neilson is one of the volunteers who turn out monthly to help Brenda Fuhrman, fellow lawyer and Inpatient Coordinator, Mental Health Programs at London Health Services Centre, feed a healthy hot meal in the church basement to about 150 London residents in need from their community. This important community service is a joint project of church parishioners and the London Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program.
Inspired by the dedication of Ms. Fuhrman and program founder Claude Pensa, Mr. Neilson has also been in recent years the top ticket seller for Courthouse Rocks, the program’s signature fundraising event held in March each year.
“Honestly, it doesn’t take much to strong arm people in the London courthouse system to purchase tickets for Courthouse Rocks,” Mr. Neilson admits, “It’s always a good time so people come out year after year and it’s such a great cause.”
His motivation is to ensure the community meal programs continue in the future. “I will do all that I can to support this program because it has real impact in our community,” Mr. Neilson notes, “We in the legal community have so much, the least I can do is to help someone have a decent meal.”