Irwin Mitchell Lawyers Help Out At Charity Event

Despite hundreds of classic cars and motorbikes on display it was the bright red motorised buggies that drew the crowds over the weekend (23 and 24 June) as children completed laps in the ‘Wizzy arena’.

There were prizes for taking part in the circuit which involved navigating around a coned track, going over a bridge and dribbling a ball around.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell were one of the sponsors of the pageant, which was organised by the Rotary Club of Bath, with all proceeds going to the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) – a charity that designs and develops innovative technology solutions for disabled people.

The Wizzybug was developed by BIME for children with severe mobility problems aged between 18 months and five-years-old and has a joystick that they can use to move about. Irwin Mitchell has supported BIME and its Wizzybug loan scheme for the last 11 months, donating funds for two more to be built and maintained over the next five years.

Each one costs around £3,000 to build and the charity relies heavily upon donations to help families in need get access to a Wizzybug as there is no statutory NHS funding for very young children.

Julie Lewis, a Partner and medical law expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Bristol office along with four others from the firm handed out prizes and took part in games and activities in the ‘Wizzy’ arena over the weekend.

Julie said: “We have a long standing relationship with BIME and have seen firsthand how youngsters have benefited from a Wizzybug during their early years, both having sponsored two new Wizzybugs as part of their loan scheme and through our work with cerebral palsy children bringing birth injury claims. 

“The Bath Pageant event was such a huge success with children and car enthusiasts alike fascinated by the Wizzybugs and desperate to have a go in the Wizzy arena. We were delighted to be able to be involved in this fun event and help raise the profile of the Wizzybug and continue to support the work of BIME.”

The pageant saw displays of around 300 vintage, historic and classic cars and 150 motorcycles with some dating back to 1919.

Another main attraction was a display of over 30 “Super Cars”, such as Aston Martin, AC Cobra, Lotus, Ferrari, Porsche and Jaguar and event goers were taken for a spin in return for a donation to the BIME charity.

Dr Nigel Harris, Director of BIME, said: “Throughout the Pageant, the focus on Wizzybug and the children was tremendous; we even had Wizzybugs participating in the drive through parade of vehicles by the main stand. All the visitors that we spoke to said how they had really enjoyed the day and said what a great opportunity it was to see the Wizzybug children and families.

“The event really has highlighted the need and work that we do to a very wide audience.  We are very grateful to the Rotary Club of Bath for organising the event and our sponsors, Irwin Mitchell, who provided special Wizzybug story books, face painting and activities for all the children.”