Irwin Mitchell Continues To Support Clubs Across The Country

Thousands of disabled people across the country are celebrating their favourite sport on National Boccia Day.

Boccia - pronounced 'Bot-cha' - is a Paralympic sport which enables participants to throw, kick or use a ramp to propel a ball onto a court with the aim of getting closest to a 'jack' ball.

It is specifically designed for people with severe disabilities caused by conditions including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or other issues affecting their limbs and motor functions.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell runs the Don’t Quit, Do It disability sport campaign to raise awareness and participation in events and activities across the country. The campaign has Paralympians Hannah Cockroft MBE and wheelchair tennis champion Alfie Hewitt as elite level partners but also supports grassroots activity.

Irwin Mitchell, which is an official partner with the sport’s national governing body Boccia UK, is involved in running or volunteering at Boccia clubs in nine different cities allowing children and others with severe disabilities to get involved in sports and social activities. The law firm has 50 volunteers up and down the country who have had specialist Boccia training.

James Pink:

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“It’s such a fantastic sport as anyone can get involved and the joy on people’s faces as they achieve something during the game makes it all worthwhile.

“There is very little funding for disability sports and Boccia is no exception so we realise the value of being able to support the Boccia clubs across the UK. While it is all about taking part, who knows, some of our players might make the GB team in future.

“Irwin Mitchell is proud to be involved in activities like this because we have seen first-hand how disability sports can improve the recovery and rehabilitation both physically and psychologically of our clients, many who have suffered serious injuries or illness. For people with cerebral palsy, their opportunities for playing sports may be limited and Boccia provides that outlet for them to get involved.” James Pink - Associate Solicitor

Josh Walker plays Boccia in Bristol and has just received some funding from Irwin Mitchell to contribute to the purchase of a ramp which will assist him to play the game. Josh suffers from severe cerebral palsy; he can’t talk and has very limited movement. The 19 year old regularly attends the Bristol Boccia club which in run by volunteers from Irwin Mitchell’s Bristol office and plays with the aid of his carers and parents.

The Bristol Boccia Club takes place Friday evenings from 7pm until 8pm at the Henbury Leisure Centre on Avonmouth Way. Everyone is welcome no matter your experience or ability and if you have any questions about the club then please email - bocciabristol@irwinmitchell.com.

Josh’s mum, Amy, said: “Josh really enjoys attending the Boccia sessions but he needs help from me or his carers to roll the balls into the court. He used to use a plastic yellow ramp which was not suitable to his level of disability and did not allow him to play independently but now that we have been able to buy a new ramp he is on a level playing field with others.

“Being able to bring Josh to the sessions and see what he can do has been great for him and me. It’s such an inclusive sport and I hope more people who are in similar positions to ourselves will get involved and give it a try.”

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