Irwin Mitchell Gives Backing To European Championship Hopeful

A transplant swimmer from Lancashire has her sights set on glory at a major European championships later this year after the Manchester office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell donated vital funds which will help her travel to and compete in the event.

Pamela Lane, 55, from Ormskirk, will use the £500 donation from the law firm to pay for kit, her entry and travel to compete as part of Team GB at the European Transplant and Dialysis Sports Championship in Sardinia in June.

Pam had a kidney transplant at the age of fifty, having had over six and a half years on dialysis.

The funds have been provided as part of Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit, Do It campaign, which seeks to support the benefits both physically and psychologically of being involved in disability sports and is backed by multiple gold-medal winning paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE.

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.

Jonathan Betts, Regional Managing Partner for Personal Injury and serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, said: 

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“At Irwin Mitchell, we believe in building strong links within the communities in which we work, and supporting good local causes.

“Pamela’s commitment to swimming despite the difficulties she has faced are a huge inspiration and we are delighted to offer our support to her.

“We would also like to wish her all of the best and are looking forward to cheering her on when the championships come around in June.” Jonathan Betts - Partner

Speaking after receiving her grant, Pam said: “Being able to compete as part of Team GB is thanks to my donor. I hope that people will see the difference that organ transplantation makes and that they will have the donation conversation with their family and friends.

“I never dreamed I would feel this well again. I’ll be doing my best in Cagliari in June and at the British Transplant Games in Birmingham in August. My transplant has transformed my life!”

Irwin Mitchell is a proud supporter of disability sport and has partnerships 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 in July last year, while it also supported the one-day Superhero Series event held at Dorney Lake in Windsor in August.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's 'Don't Quit, Do It' campaign here.