Irwin Mitchell Charity Foundation

Staff from leading national law firm Irwin Mitchell have collected hundreds of pairs of children’s shoes for the “Soles for Souls” campaign, to help children in Afghanistan. 

Solicitor and member of the Irwin Mitchell Charity Foundation, Nicola Perrott developed the initiative after hearing from a friend in the US Army, who is currently serving in the country. Nicola said: “My friend noticed that none of the local children had any shoes, even when it was really cold.  He asked his friends to send over used but serviceable shoes so that he could distribute them amongst the local children.”

After initially appealing to the office based in Leeds, Irwin Mitchell extended its plea to the other offices located in Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and London.  

As a result of the appeal, almost 800 pairs of children’s shoes were collected, counted, paired and packed and are now ready to be transported overseas.  The news also spread to the friends and family of Irwin Mitchell staff and Surrey based child minder, Marion Elliott contributed over 100 pairs to the appeal. 
 
Jane Horton, Partner in the Personal Injury team at Irwin Mitchell in Leeds, said: “I am overwhelmed at the response that our appeal has received. These shoes are going to make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of disadvantaged children and I am very proud that we have been able to make such a worthwhile contribution.

“My thanks go out to the staff at the firm for their generosity but special praise must also go to the team at Pack & Send on Kirkstall Road who have worked hard to make arrangements for the delivery to take place.”

Due to the high costs involved, Irwin Mitchell are searching for other companies who may be willing to make a contribution towards the cost of shipping the shoes to Afghanistan.  For further information, please email Gillian.Webb@IrwinMitchell.com.