National Law Firm Provides Donation As Part Of Disability Sport Initiative

A young wheelchair racer from Greater Manchester who dreams of competing at the 2024 Paris Paralympics has received a funding boost from Irwin Mitchell as part of the national law firm’s continued commitment to promoting the many benefits of disability sport.

Twelve-year-old Anya Waugh, from Stalybridge, competes in the T54 category of the sport and decided that she wanted to take up the activity after being inspired by the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

She is set to use the £500 donation from Irwin Mitchell to fund her ongoing membership of her local club, as well as putting it towards entry fees for a range of events, equipment and travel costs.

The law firm has offered the support as part of its Don’t Quit, Do It ongoing initiative to promote the huge physical and psychological benefits that disability sport provides. The campaign is backed by multiple gold medal-winning Paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE.

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

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“As a law firm we have long believed in supporting good local causes and Don’t Quit, Do It has given us a chance to lend a hand to some exciting up and coming athletes based across the UK.

“We are delighted to be able to provide this donation to Anya and hope that it will play an important role as she continues to chase her ultimate dream of representing Team GB on the very biggest stage. We wish her the very best of luck.” Jonathan Betts - Partner

Anya’s father Christopher Waugh added: “We are so incredibly proud of everything that Anya has achieved in recent years and sport has become such a huge part of all of our lives.

“It is fantastic to see an organisation like Irwin Mitchell give its backing to disability sport and we are hugely grateful for the support. Representing Great Britain would be a huge moment for Anya and we want to do everything we can to make it happen.”

The Don’t Quit, Do It grant programme from Irwin Mitchell offers sportspeople, disability sport charities and groups an opportunity to apply for help with the cost of training, equipment or participation in major events. It has already provided more than £50,000 to a range of different projects in the UK.

Irwin Mitchell is a proud supporter of disability sport and has partnerships with the England Amputee Football Association, Boccia England and a host of other related organisations. Furthermore, the firm was also the Official Legal Services Provider of the World Para Athletics Championships in London last year and a supporter of the Superhero Series held at Dorney Lake in Windsor in August.

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