Gomer Williams Solicitors Revives ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ Spirit for Local Charity Initiative

Juliet Phillips James is the managing director of Gomer Williams Solicitors and she and her team have come up with a great way of raising money and paying tribute to the greatest musical event of our time, Live Aid.

It has been 40 years since the iconic Band Aid single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, originally was released in 1984.

It’s hard to overstate the cultural significance of the Live Aid concert and the Band Aid song for our generation. We asked Juliet for her reflection on that event and its impact over the decades?

Juliet said: “For many of us from the ’80s, it was an extraordinary moment in music history—possibly the biggest musical event of all time. It brought attention to critical issues like famine in Africa and inspired a generation to think about social responsibility. While some people, even back then, questioned why we were raising money for overseas aid, the reality is that Band Aid changed attitudes and made a lasting impact.”

Juliet said she was inspired by the recent re-release of the Band Aid song this Christmas. We asked her to tell us more about what Gomer Williams Solicitors is doing to give back to the community?

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Juliet explained: “We felt compelled to recreate the song as a local initiative, involving local businesses and charities to benefit our community. The message of ‘feeding the world’ resonates now more than ever, especially during the cost of living crisis. Many families are struggling, and we wanted to harness that spirit of giving back.”

“We’ve gone beyond just recreating the song; we’ve organized food and toy donation drives. We want to bring joy and assistance to local families during this festive season. Charity starts at home, and we believe that by working together as a community, we can make a real difference in people’s lives.

We asked Juliet how local businesses and organizations contributed?

She told us: “The response has been incredibly moving. Local businesses like estate agents Joe Dawson and John Francis have stepped in to support us, as have charities like the Jack Lewis Foundation and organizations for young carers. Even local schools are getting involved, which is just heartwarming to see. Everyone recognises the importance of the message we’re promoting.”

As we reflect on the original Band Aid message, there have been contemporary debates about its impact and approach. We asked Juliet for her take on its legacy?

Juliet acknowledged some of the criticism but said: “While there’s been criticism regarding the portrayal of Africa and the complexities of aid, I believe the original intent was one of solidarity and a desire to help those in need. The ethos of Band Aid—uniting people for a common cause—continues to inspire local initiatives like ours. It’s about making a difference in the lives of those around us.

“We have a fundraising event and a raffle taking place until December 16th. We encourage everyone to donate food or toys, and engage with us in celebrating the spirit of giving this Christmas.”