27.02.2018

Irwin Mitchell Have Donated Funds To The Jorvik Warriors To Enable Them To Buy Their Own Football Kit

A Yorkshire Powerchair football team is to finally have its own football kit thanks to receiving a £500 grant from the Leeds office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell.

The grant from the law firm to the Jorvik Warriors Powerchair Football Club will enable the Warriors to purchase a new football kit for the entire team. This marks a giant step in the team’s journey towards the North East Powerchair Football League.

Powerchair football is a unique sport that provides opportunities for people with a high level of impairment to access the game of football and is the only active team participation sport for people who use electric wheelchairs.

The fast-paced, dynamic game is for anyone who uses a powered wheelchair or those who have limited movement in a manual wheelchair. The unique nature of Powerchair football allows all ages, disabilities and both genders to compete together.

Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit, Do It campaign seeks to support the benefits both physically and psychologically of being involved in disability sports and is supported 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 £4000 to projects across the UK.

Sarah Coles, a partner and medical negligence specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds 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.

“Not only does the Jorvik Warriors Powerchair Football Club allow its members to be active and be involved in Powerchair football, it also provides, arguably more importantly, social opportunities and enables friendship.

“We are delighted to be able to support to the team with this donation, and we wish them all the best for joining the North East Powerchair Football League.” Sarah Coles - Partner

The team, which is affiliated with the Wheelchair Football Association and North Riding FA, is run by parents and volunteers and is an FA Charter Standard accredited club. This accreditation is awarded to clubs rigorously adjudged to be well-run, which prioritise child protection.

One of the team’s older players, Stanley Hider, has recently become a trustee of the club, having been a member of the club since it was formed. Stanley joined the team when he was an undergraduate at York University, studying a Mathematics degree.

Lyn Clarke, Assistant Secretary and Fundraiser at Jorvik Warriors Powerchair Football Club, said: “Thanks to their kind donation, Irwin Mitchell has helped us with this and their actions have given the whole team a huge lift as we look to enter the North East Powerchair League.

“At Warriors we like to provide opportunities for all young people, their parents or carers to become volunteers and to be involved in Powerchair Football. We aim to encourage fun, participation and sportsmanship to help build the confidence of those participating.

“Cemil, our head coach, runs a training session on Saturday mornings, once a fortnight at Energise York, between 11am and 1pm. If anyone would like to come along, please visit jorvikwarriorspfc.co.uk or follow the team on social media and get in touch.”

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.