Nelsons help bereavement charity commit to Derby

Law firm Nelsons has supported a regional bereavement charity remain in Derby after helping it renew the lease on its city base.

The firm’s commercial property team assisted The Laura Centre in renewing the lease on its base in Vernon Street.

The charity provides a safe, friendly and inclusive environment to those who have experienced the death of a child, parent or sibling.

The Laura Centre, which is celebrating its 30th birthday this year, opened its Derby base eight years ago after being asked to bring the charity – originally set up in Leicester – to the city.

Since its inception, the organisation has grown enormously, from working with 80 people in its first year to supporting more than 400 throughout 2020.

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Set up by Gail and Harry Moore, the charity delivers free therapeutic support to anyone who has lost a family member, recognising the lifelong impact of such a loss, and works collaboratively with service users to help each individual person find their own ways of coping.

Nelsons has provided legal advice to The Laura Centre for a number of years, supporting with the taking and renewal of multiple leases.

Martin Jinks, partner in the firm’s commercial property team, said: “Sadly, the bereavement of a family member is something that every single one of us will experience during our lifetime – and the work that The Laura Centre does can make the world of difference to those who are struggling to come to terms with such a loss.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure and truly rewarding to be able to offer our expertise over the past few years and to support Gail and Harry at The Laura Centre as they continue to provide crucial support to the people who need it most.”

The Laura Centre was set up as part of the charity COPE, which was also founded by Gail and Harry after their daughter Laura tragically died from leukaemia when she was just five years old.

Gail said: “The death of a child completely changes the whole order of things.

“At the time of Laura’s passing there was nothing in the community for families in our situation and we wanted to ensure that, for anyone going through a similar situation to us, there was that support available moving forwards – that’s how The Laura Centre was born.

“This is the third time Nelsons has assisted us with the renewal of the lease at our Derby premises and the support and advice they provide is always second-to-none.”