One of the UK’s leading golf clubs has announced that it has officially adopted the principles of Hugh’s Law, a policy designed to ensure that no parent is forced to choose between work and being at the bedside of a seriously ill child.
Supporting families
Under this policy, staff at The Bridgedown Group will be supported to take time off work to attend hospital when their child is seriously ill. This includes job security and financial security during what is often a very stressful time in family life.
Bridgedown Group owns Shire London, Inspiration, West London Golf Center and the upcoming Legacy Club.
The story behind Hugh’s Law
Hugh’s Law is the result of more than three years of campaigning by Ceri Menai Davis, Director of The Bridgedown Group, following the death of her son Hugh in 2021. Hugh was six years old and had spent ten months battling a rare form of cancer.
Ceri Menai Davis, a former PGA Tony Sunderland Award winner, has led a national campaign for working parents to be protected by law when a child is seriously ill.
His work involved a lot of communication with Parliament, ministers and employers, saying that work should never add pressure during health problems.
Growing national recognition
As a result of the campaign, Hugh’s Law is now officially named in the forthcoming Carer’s Leave Review, with a dedicated chapter confirmed in the House of Commons.
This follows an amendment tabled in the House of Lords in July 2025 by Baroness Tanni Gray Thompson which, although unsuccessful, continued the parliamentary debate on the issue.
The policy suggests that parents of seriously ill children should receive up to 12 weeks of leave at the statutory leave rate. The leave will be taken in defined blocks and supported by a medical guarantee, which provides explanation to employers and assurance to families.
Golf leads by example
The Bridgedown Group’s decision follows a recent announcement by Brentford FC, which confirmed that it has incorporated the terms of Hugh’s Law into its staff leave policies.
Managing Director Tony Menai Davis said the move reflects compassion and good business practice.
“If a child is seriously ill, nothing else is important, no parent should worry about his income, work or whether he will be punished for being where he should be.
By adopting the principles of Hugh’s Law, the group shows that compassion, transparency and good business can go hand in hand.
“The work and time that Ceri and Frances have dedicated to campaigning in honor of my grandson Hugh is encouraging and we hope that we are the first of many clubs to adopt these principles.”
Wide range of motion
The adoption of the principles of Hugh’s Law reflects a growing movement among UK employers who prefer to act before the law. Many are now realizing that structured, time-limited support for parents is humane and effective.
More information about the campaign can be found at www.hughslaw.uk.
About Hugh’s Law
Hugh’s Law was established in memory of six-year-old Hugh Menai Davis, who died of rhabdomyosarcoma in 2021.
After Hugh’s death, his parents Ceri and Frances Menai Davis set up the charity Never Fall after realizing the lack of support available to parents when a child is seriously ill.
Over the past three years the campaign has pushed for reform in Parliament, leading to debates, amendments and formal recognition within the Government Review.
Hugh’s Law aims to ensure that parents are supported rather than abandoned when their child’s life is on the line.
