At Wood Street Mission, we’re incredibly grateful for the local businesses who choose to stand alongside us in supporting children and families across Manchester and Salford.

One of those long‑standing partners is McHale & Co Solicitors, whose generosity, commitment and community spirit have made a real and lasting difference, especially through their remarkable Cycle of Life Project.

McHale & Co believe that being part of the local business community means more than providing a service. It means recognising the challenges families face and doing what they can to help. That belief is what first inspired them to partner with Wood Street Mission around five years ago, and since then, their support has grown into something truly special.

To shine a light on the impact of their support, and to understand more about the values behind the Cycle of Life Project, we sat down with McHale & Co to learn more about what inspires their involvement. We asked them a series of questions about their partnership with Wood Street Mission, their motivation for donating bikes, and the difference they hope to make. Here’s what they shared with us:

1. What first inspired McHale & Co to partner with Wood Street Mission?

At McHale & Co Solicitors , we believe that being part of the local business community means more than simply providing a service. It also means recognising the challenges that families face and doing what we can to make a positive difference. Wood Street Mission does fantastic work supporting children and families across Manchester and Salford, and we wanted to support an organisation that makes such a meaningful impact in our local community.

2. How long have you been supporting us, and how did the partnership begin?

Our involvement grew from a shared desire to support local children and families around 5 years ago. We were keen to find a practical way for McHale & Co to contribute to the work Wood Street Mission does, and supporting the charity through donations was a natural fit. We value the opportunity to play a small part in the important work the charity carries out. We have since donated over 100 bikes to Wood Street Mission through our Cycle of Life Project as well as sponsoring various events and other donations.

3. What first inspired you to start donating bikes to Wood Street Mission?

We wanted to support something that would have a tangible and lasting impact on a child’s life. Donating bikes felt like a wonderful way to do that, offering children something they can enjoy, build confidence through and make memories with. We hope that each bike brings a little extra happiness to each child

4. Why bikes? What made this the item you wanted to focus on?

 A bike can mean so much more than simply getting from A to B. For a child, it can represent freedom, independence, fun and the opportunity to spend time outdoors with friends and family. We recognise that not every family can afford to buy a bike, so we wanted to help make that experience accessible to children who might otherwise miss out.

About the Donation Process

5. Do staff members get involved in selecting or funding the bikes?

 Staff and clients have donated bikes. We see supporting Wood Street Mission as something that reflects our values as a business and something our wider team can feel proud to be part of. Our aim is to make a practical contribution that helps the charity reach children and families who need support. We want our involvement to be about more than the donation itself; it is also about encouraging a culture of kindness, generosity and community spirit within our organisation.

6. What does it mean to your organisation to know these bikes are going to children who may never have had one before?

 It is incredibly rewarding to think that a donation could give a child an experience they might not otherwise have had. Something that can sometimes be taken for granted can make a real difference to a child’s happiness, confidence and sense of inclusion. Knowing that our contribution can help create those moments is a powerful reminder of why community support matters.

7. Have you had any feedback from your team or clients about your involvement with Wood Street Mission?

 We hope our involvement demonstrates the importance we place on giving something back to the community we serve. Supporting a charity like Wood Street Mission is something we can be proud of as a team, and we hope it encourages conversations about how businesses can make a positive difference beyond their day-to-day work.

8. Why is supporting local families in Manchester and Salford important to McHale & Co?

 Manchester and Salford are home to so many families and communities, and we believe it is important for local businesses to play their part in supporting them. Financial pressures can make it difficult for some families to afford things that others may take for granted. By supporting Wood Street Mission, we can help contribute to a stronger, more inclusive community where children have opportunities to enjoy their childhood. We support many charities across the Greater Manchester area through McHale Group of Solicitors, including Will Solicitors and also Legacy Locker.

9. How does donating bikes fit into your wider CSR or community values?

 For us, corporate social responsibility is about putting our values into practice. As a legal business, we work with people through important moments in their lives, and we understand the value of care, trust and responsibility. Supporting Wood Street Mission is one way we can extend those principles beyond our professional work and make a positive contribution to the communities around us.

10. What would you say to other businesses considering supporting Wood Street Mission?

 We would absolutely encourage other businesses to get involved. You do not necessarily need to make a huge contribution to make a difference; even a relatively small act of support can mean a great deal to a child or family. Wood Street Mission carries out valuable work in our local community, and businesses have an opportunity to help that work reach even more people. If you are considering supporting a local charity, we would encourage you to take that first step.

11. Do you plan to continue donating bikes in the future?

 We would certainly like to continue supporting Wood Street Mission and helping make a positive difference to local children and families. We believe that community support is most meaningful when it is something businesses continue to think about and build on over time.

12. Are there other ways you’d like to support Wood Street Mission going forward?

We are open to exploring other ways to support Wood Street Mission and its work with local families. Whether through future donations, fundraising or other practical contributions, we would welcome opportunities to work together and help the charity continue providing valuable support to children across Manchester and Salford.

Our Will Solicitor Project is great for this where we draft a will via https://l.willsolicitor.co.uk/woodstreetmission and we make a donation to Wood Street Mission

Also, Legacy Locker a digital vault for documents, passwords and memories allows for 25% donation from the £6 subscription fee each month and Wood Street supporters can get a free 0 day trial using code Legacy26 via https://woodstreet.legacylocker.cloud/

“We’re incredibly grateful for their ongoing support, their generosity, and their belief in the work we do. Partnerships like this help us reach more families, provide more essential items, and create more moments of joy for children across Manchester and Salford.” Kathryn Tighe, Fundraising and Marketing Lead.

Thank you, McHale & Co, for being part of our mission , and for helping children experience the freedom, fun and confidence that a bike can bring.

Email fundraise@woodstreetmission.org.uk for more information.