Irwin Mitchell’s Scottish Office Nominates Charity of the Year

Teenage Cancer Trust Scotland is set for a fundraising boost after colleagues at the Glasgow office of Irwin Mitchell nominated the organisation to be their Charity of the Year for 2019.

The national law firm runs an annual charity initiative which sees staff across each of its 13 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 organisations in the UK and abroad.

This year, staff at Irwin Mitchell’s Glasgow office have voted to give their support to Teenage Cancer Trust Scotland. The charity currently provides support to young people at four separate units operating throughout the country, including within the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow.

Irwin Mitchell’s Regional Managing Partner in Scotland, Mark Higgins 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.

“Teenage Cancer Trust has undertaken incredibly important work to support young people across the UK and we hope that the funds we raise will help the organisation as it continues to assist young people in Scotland.

“Helping good causes is a core part of life here at Irwin Mitchell and we are excited about seeing just how much we can do for Teenage Cancer Trust Scotland and our other chosen charities across the coming months.” Mark Higgins - Chairman of WJM, Chairman of Ascent, and Partner of Irwin Mitchell

Teenage Cancer Trust Scotland estimates that at least 200 young people aged between 13 and 24 in Scotland are diagnosed with cancer every year, with at least 440 young people in the country also needing treatment for the illness annually. 

The funds raised by Irwin Mitchell will ensure that people like Olivia Coxon, aged 20, from Greenock near Glasgow, continue to receive the age-appropriate specialist help provided by the charity.

Olivia was just 12-years-old when she was first diagnosed with a germ cell tumour on her pituitary gland, which later returned when she was 18. The gruelling treatments included high doses of chemotherapy, biopsies, a stem cell transplant and then full head and spine radiotherapy. 

Olivia was helped by Teenage Cancer Trust throughout. This meant support throughout her cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment, and recovery. The charity helped her come to terms with her illness and putting her immediate dreams of going to university on hold. Thanks to Teenage Cancer Trust, Olivia didn’t have to share a ward with young children and instead could stay on the specialist teenage and young person’s ward with tailored facilities and activities for young adults.

Olivia also received daily visits from one of the charity’s Youth Support Coordinators which kept her spirits lifted during treatment. 

Olivia, who is now taking her recovery one day at a time, back at home with her family, said: “It was great to have someone other than my Mum to talk to. We had a laugh and I felt that I was her friend, rather than her patient. She was a shining light in a dark time.”

Olivia, who taught herself at home due to her illness, added: “Teenage Cancer Trust was a lifesaver for me. The outings they organised were great. We went to the cinema, bowling, had meals out, even a trip to Alton Towers. I could spend time with people my own age who were on my wavelength and I could talk with them without being judged.

“I'm now taking things day by day. Hopefully university is still on the cards – I got all As in my exams and I want to study biochemistry at Strathclyde.”

Christine Jason, Head of Fundraising North for Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is very excited about our partnership with Irwin Mitchell. Our ambition is to ensure that every young person in Scotland, wherever they live can access our life-changing care. This is either in one of Teenage Cancer Trust units located in a Principal Treatment Centre where teenagers and young adults with cancer between the ages of 13 and 24 can receive specialist care, or through our six Clinical Nurse Specialists located in a local designated hospital in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness.

“Working with Irwin Mitchell will mean funds to help support the continued funding of all services in Scotland to provide world class age appropriate nursing care for young people across Scotland.”

Read about Irwin Mitchell's CSR work.