Irwin Mitchell helps fund boat for Para-Rowers

By: Angela Meredith, contributing journalist

National law firm Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit Do It campaign is to help fund a specially modified boat, which will enable Oxford Para-Rowers compete at the highest level in rowing events. The campaign aims to increase participation in disability sports such as rowing. The law firm has a Military Team and is very aware of the needs of disabled veterans through the Personal Injury work carried out on their behalf.

Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit Do It campaign also promotes the physical and psychological benefits of being involved in disability sports. The campaign is supported by multiple gold-medal winning Paralympian, Hannah Cockroft MBE.

James Davies, a Partner at Irwin Mitchell, said:

“Through our work, we have seen on numerous occasions how sport has been able to help our clients with rehabilitation following serious injury. Unfortunately, while there are over 12 million people with disabilities in the UK, only one in six actually takes part in sport regularly. Part of this is due to the lack of funding and availability of specialist equipment – and, with that in mind, we hope these grants will help support individuals and sports teams so they can realise their true potential. The City of Oxford Rowing Club’s para-rowing squad are hugely dedicated to their sport – and are a great example of the huge benefits that such activities can have for those with disabilities. We are delighted to provide this donation – and hope it will prove vital as they continue to develop their work further. Disability should not be a barrier to sport.”

The club has received £500 from Irwin Mitchell’s Disability Sports Grant Programme – part of the Don’t Quit Do It campaign. Irwin Mitchell says that charities, individuals and groups involved in inclusive sport are eligible to apply for money to help with the cost of training, buying specialist equipment, or taking part in special events. The programme has already given out £10,000 to projects across the UK.

Club captain of City of Oxford Rowing Club, Howard Aiken, added:

“We firmly believe that rowing is a sport to be enjoyed by everyone and welcome new members. Luckily attitudes towards disability sports are changing and our Adaptive Squad is growing in popularity. We would like to thank Irwin Mitchell for its kind donation, which will go a long way towards our club being able to buy another specially adapted boat.”

Irwin Mitchell has partnerships with the England Amputee Football Association, Boccia England and a host of other related organisations. The law firm was also the Official Legal Services Provider of the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017 at the London Stadium, while it also supported the one-day Superhero Series event held at Dorney Lake in Windsor in August 2017.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit Do It campaign.