Irwin Mitchell Staff Play All Stars Professionals In Aid Of Papyrus

On Saturday 29 June, a team made up of staff from the Birmingham Office of Irwin Mitchell will take on a current and ex-professional All Stars team in a charity football match including Walsall born ex-England captain, Rachel Unitt. The match is being sponsored by No5 Barristers’ Chambers, with all proceeds going to Papyrus, a charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide and the Birmingham Office nominated Charity of the Year.

The match which is sponsored by No5 Barristers’ Chambers will take place at Aspray Arena, Willenhall, with kick off at 1.30pm, when the Irwin Mitchell squad will come up against organiser and Birmingham Office Paralegal Daniel Tonks’ team of All Stars, comprising of professional footballers from Wolves and Walsall past and present, (plus some surprise celebrities), all playing in aid of a great local charity. Admission will be available on the day and £5 for adults and £3 for children (under 2’s free) with all proceeds going to Papyrus.

There will be a number of activities available to spectators during the match, including face painting, a 50/50 prize draw, plus a raffle with a range of incredible prizes. Along with these, there will be a ‘Don’t quit, do it’ Irwin Mitchell goal for football fans to test their skills with a chance to win the big prize.

The All-Stars team is set to feature ex-Wolves and Celtic left back, Lee Naylor; former Walsall midfielder and manager, Dean Keates and Rachel Unitt. Starting her career with Wolves aged 14, left back Unitt made her name playing for Fulham, Everton and England, winning the domestic treble with Fulham in 2003. Capped 102 times for the Lionesses, Unitt became one of the big recognisable stars of the game. Named FA International Player of the Year in 2004 and 2006, Unitt now plays for London Bees. Other celebrities will be confirmed as kick off moves closer and promises a good crowd all football fundraising for Papyrus.

Papyrus (Parents’ Association for the Prevention of Young Suicide) was founded in 1997 by Lancashire mum Jean Kerr, following the loss of her son to suicide. Alarmingly, suicide is the biggest killer of people under 35 in the UK and thousands more contemplate it. Papyrus aims to confront the issue, by shattering the stigma surrounding suicide and equipping young people and communities with skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.

Papyrus was chosen by the Birmingham Office as their 2019 Charity of the Year as part of the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF), an independent charity founded in 1997 which has now raised more than £2 million for charities in the UK and abroad.

Organiser and Irwin Mitchell Paralegal, Daniel Tonks said: “A lot of the office are keen football fans, so taking on a team of professionals while raising funds for our Charity of the Year is a dream come true. Papyrus does vital work in the local community and further afield and this event is all part of putting our fundraising feet forward in ensuring their work continues. I want to thank No5 Barristers’ Chambers for kindly sponsoring the event and all our football stars and celebrities taking part. We hope local people will come along and give us their support on what will be an entertaining and rewarding event for all concerned.”