Don’t Quit, Do It Campaign Aims To Increase Awareness Of Disability Sport

National law firm Irwin Mitchell is delighted to be sponsoring the Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony and believe it is the perfect event to celebrate the talent and dedication on show in disability sport.

On 2nd September the heritage flame for Rio 2016 will be lit at Stoke Mandeville, the historic home of the Paralympic movement in front of an audience of thousands, which will include the Great British athletics who’ll be going for gold in Brazil.

The firm’s Don’t Quit, Do It campaign highlights the role sport can play in helping people recover from serious injuries and other major traumas in their lives.

There are 9.4 million people with disabilities in the UK but only one in six takes part in sport regularly, and Irwin Mitchell hopes that the campaign will also encourage more people to get involved.

Multiple time world champion Hannah Cockroft MBE, is an ambassador for the campaign and before defending her medals in Rio she’ll be helping the firm raise awareness through a series of videos sharing her stories and top tips.

Stoke Mandeville hosted the first ever international leg of the Paralympic Torch Relay ahead of the Sochi Winter Paralympic Games.

On this occasion, once the flame is lit it will travel across the world to be merged with regional torches from five Brazilian cities. This will then start the two day torch relay that will arrive in the Olympic stadium for the start of the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Cathy Leech, Partner and serious injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell feels that more should be done to raise the profile of disability sport and ultimately encourage more people to take part.

Expert Opinion

“We’re delighted to be able to support the Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony and help promote an event which celebrates amazing sporting achievements.

“We see on a day-to-day basis the impact a serious injury or major trauma can have on someone’s life and how in the rehabilitation process sport and meaningful activity can play a huge part.

“There are more channels dedicated to sport than ever before but it seems that the majority of high-performing, disabled athletes only get the worldwide audience they deserve every four years.

“Our Don’t Quit, Do It campaign runs all year round and is dedicated to raising the profile of disability sport and increasing the numbers that take part by showcasing the amazing skill on show and the wide-ranging benefits of taking part for everyone whether they are Olympic champions or just enthusiasts.

“This is a fantastic event to be involved in and it’s one that demonstrates that disabled athletes can achieve so much with the right opportunities, belief, talent, determination and support.” Catherine Leech - Partner