Irwin Mitchell celebrating as employee hailed top employee volunteer within the Yorkshire and Humber region

Lawyer Leigh White was announced the winner of the Business in the Community (BITC) Yorkshire and Humber Awards for Excellence Employee Volunteer of the Year Award at a prestigious black tie event at The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate.

BITC’s Awards for Excellence showcase the best of responsible business in action and are the UK’s most influential and independent corporate responsibility awards.

Leigh was nominated by the firm for the award due to her dedication, extensive commitment and impact in developing the Sheffield office’s involvement in the Right to Read initiative at Hillsborough Primary School, a programme aimed at improving the literacy skills of local pupils aged 7 – 12.

As a result of Leigh’s commitment and support the primary school is one of the most popular for the Right to Read scheme at Irwin Mitchell and volunteers who attend the school have made a positive impact on the self-esteem and aspirations of the pupils they visited on a weekly basis.

Partner and Chair of the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation Adrian Budgen said: “Leigh is an ambassador for social responsibility and Irwin Mitchell and she is well known for her passion and commitment to supporting the firm’s efforts in giving back to local communities. I am delighted to see Leigh’s hard work and dedication recognised at such a prestigious awards ceremony within the region.

“Leigh has always been a keen supporter of our community engagement activities. In addition to her work as a Right to Read Ambassador in the firm, Leigh is a Trustee of the firm’s independent registered charity, the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation, which sees her delivering a number of national fundraising events over the course of the year and also regularly takes part in a number of community volunteering initiatives organised by the firm.

“The achievements and developments that have taken place as a result of Leigh’s efforts in this arena are outstanding and have had significant lasting impacts on both the volunteers she leads and the schools, charities and community partners she works with. This is a fantastic achievement and is definitely well deserved.”

Commenting on her award, Leigh said: “It is such an honour to be awarded Employee Volunteer of the Year. Throughout my time at Irwin Mitchell I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the firms social responsibility programme.

“The firm is committed to being a socially responsible organisation and not only supports but actively encourages its staff to take an active role in shaping its social responsibility programme which has enabled me to really make a difference in my local community.

“I am extremely proud to have been given this award and would like to thank Irwin Mitchell for being so supportive in my passion for charitable activity.”

Irwin Mitchell has a comprehensive community programme that covers raising attainment in schools, supporting vulnerable groups and offering pro bono support to those who need it the most. Staff are fully supported and encouraged to regularly take part in fundraising activities and community projects with local partners and charities with which the firm has established strong relationships.

The firm also has its own independent registered charity, the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF), set up in 1997 by the partners and employees of Irwin Mitchell. The IMCF aims to help a wide range of charities local to the offices of Irwin Mitchell and a number of large campaigns such as Children in Need, Wear it Pink and Comic Relief. Last year the IMCF reached the milestone of having made £750,000 of charitable donations.