Law Firm Help ‘Out On A Limb’ Boost Its Fundraising Pot

By Suzanne Rutter

A group of amputees will be showing their determination to raise money for a charity close to their hearts, by taking part in a 16.3 mile trek mostly on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal Towpath from Bradford to Keighley, sponsored by law firm Irwin Mitchell.

The family and friends of more than 60 people who have undergone amputation of one or more limbs, due to illness or injury or have birth injuries, will join forces for the Airedale and Bradford ‘Out On A Limb’ sponsored walk on 18 August, which will begin at Bradford Royal Infirmary walking past Airedale Hospital and ending at The Steeton Hall Hotel. For most of the participants, it will be a physical challenge and may take them over eight hours or more to complete.

The intrepid fundraising team, who are all at different stages of their rehabilitation, will either walk or carry out the challenge in their wheelchairs and will be joined by supporters of the charity including staff from the local hospitals, carers and family.

The aim is to beat the £5,300 raised last year with support from the personal injury team at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, who will cover the cost of running the event.

Sarah Coles, an associate solicitor in the clinical negligence team at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Out On A Limb is a fantastic charity which I know many of our clients receive valuable help and support from in what is often the most difficult part of their lives as they come to terms with the effect major surgery has had on them.

“We are delighted to sponsor the cost of a minibus and the printing of posters and sponsorship forms to help the event get underway and we hope everyone who takes part has as much fun as they did last year. I’m sure that many participants will also find the challenge really rewarding and we hope their efforts really inspire people to sponsor them.”

The charity’s aims for this year is to make funding available through its assistance fund for specialist equipment, such as temporary ramps, to amputees recently discharged from hospital, as well as information and practical help in getting their lives back on track following an amputation.

The event will also be supported by Keighley and Ilkley Voluntary Services, Keighley Town Council, The Steeton Hall Hotel, The Fishermans at Bingley, The Marquis of Granby at Riddlesden and The White Lion at Kildwick.

David Rushworth, chairman of the charity, added: “Everyone who took part least year thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it gave them a goal to work towards in terms of their rehabilitation.

“It was really inspiring to see so many people challenge themselves, particularly one amputee who was fitted with a prosthetic leg just a few months before the event, but walked almost the entire route. Hopefully her experience will inspire other amputees to take part again and help us raise even more money this year.

“We are really grateful to generous sponsors like Irwin Mitchell because without their support, we wouldn’t be able to continue to run fundraising events like this and the life-changing work we do.”