Rowan Once Again Named Irwin Mitchell’s Charity of the Year

Cambridge-based arts charity Rowan is set for a fundraising boost after colleagues at the local office of Irwin Mitchell nominated the organisation to be their Charity of the Year for 2019.

The national law firm’s annual charity initiative sees staff across 13 of its offices take part in a vote to select a good cause which they can support through both voluntary work and fundraising events.

It is part of work undertaken by the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF), an independent charity founded in 1997 which has raised more than £1.8 million for charities in the UK and abroad.

This year, the Cambridge office of Irwin Mitchell has voted for the second consecutive year to back Rowan. The charity and arts centre works to provide a creative environment for people with learning disabilities, using art as a tool to reduce social exclusion.

Neil Whiteley, the Regional Managing Partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Cambridge office, said: 

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“As a firm we have always been passionate about doing what we can to support important causes and organisations through the IMCF and the Charity of the Year initiative.

“Rowan undertakes incredibly important work and we are delighted to once again be raising funds to support the fantastic services that the organisation provides.

“We are hugely proud of the relationship we have developed with Rowan across recent years and are excited about seeing just how much we can do for the organisation and our other chosen charities across the coming months. We have really enjoyed working with Rowan and their clients throughout the year in 2018.” Neil Whiteley - Partner & Director of Legal Services - Personal Injury

Rowan aims to improve the lives of those with learning disabilities by providing a range of activities. As well as running studios based around materials including wood and ceramics, they also hold regular music and performance workshops. 

Funds raised by Irwin Mitchell will help the charity provide art materials, gain access to tutors and also sponsor students so they can attend the site.

Hetti Wood, communications ambassador at Rowan, said: “We are so thankful and grateful for the ongoing support form Irwin Mitchell.

“We were blown away last year by all the fundraisers that were put into place and the friends made along the way. As we go into the second year of support the money raised will continue to support our student artists bursary scheme. Without the subsidised costs some of our student artists – all of whom have learning disabilities - would not be able to come to Rowan due to their own financial situations. 

“It is vital that we keep on providing for our student artists to not just survive, but thrive with passion, compassion and with style! We are thrilled that we have been chosen as Charity of the Year for the second year running.”

Read about Irwin Mitchell's CSR work.