Irwin Mitchell Team On Their Marks To Run 300km in Virtual Running Challenge

It will be a case of mind over matter for a team of lawyers this week, as 12 colleagues from Irwin Mitchel aim to run a marathon a day for five days, in aid of a national mental health charity.

The colleagues, who work in the Restructuring & Insolvency, Real Estate and Litigation teams will complete a full or half marathon every day, from Monday 25 January to Friday 29 January, raising funds for mental health charity MIND, as part of the BDO Around The World Virtual Running Challenge.

Two teams of four, including Andrew Walker, Tarnia Bleasdale, Sam Taylor and Lily Pidge in team ‘A’ and Tom Paton, Kunal Gadhvi, Hal Roberts and Hannah Lambert in team ‘B’ will run 60km per day and by the end of the week, will have covered 300km.

Team A will be running 5km every day with the aim of completing a half-marathon - 13 miles or 20km; while team ‘B’ will be completing a marathon a day. This means each team ‘B’ member will run 10km every day to contribute to the team’s daily target of 26.2 miles or 40km.

On hearing about the event, a last minute entry comprising of Dan Brunt; Emma Tordoff; Anna Dyde and Hannah Dunne will make up the Irwin Mitchell ‘C’ team for the week-long challenge.

Supporting people who are stressed, depressed or in crisis, MIND believes no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. The impact of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns has had an unprecedented effect on many people’s mental health, which has seen the charity busier than ever, prompting the Irwin Mitchell team to get involved in fundraising.

With several other organisations taking part in the event, the competition between teams in terms of both speed and distance means the Irwin Mitchell squad is relishing the challenge ahead.

Expert Opinion

“This Virtual Running Challenge is an opportunity to kick start the new year in an exciting way, while raising as much money as possible for what it a fantastic cause at any time - but particularly with so many facing mental health issues as a result of the COVID crisis and current lockdown.”

“We will be braving the wind, rain and perhaps snow by the look of it, to complete the distance and while 300km is no small challenge in itself, the fact we are competing against other law firms and insolvency professionals certainly adds a bit of pressure!

“Mind continues to perform vital work as the nation continues to adjust to a ‘new normal’ and we are delighted to be able to put our best foot forward for them in this way and are grateful to our colleagues and clients for their ongoing support.” Andrew Walker - Partner

Anyone who wishes to support the Irwin Mitchell team can do so by visiting their Just Giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/im-insolvencyvirtualmarathon