Irwin Mitchell’s Rachelle Mahapatra Hopes To Raise Funds To Help Izzy Palmer In Her Bid To Reach Tokyo 2020

One of the region’s leading clinical negligence lawyers is walking the Dales Way to fundraise for a teenage Paralympic hopeful from Leeds.

Rachelle Mahapatra, the head of clinical negligence at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, will take on the 80 mile footpath, which runs from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere, in an attempt to raise much needed funds for Izzy Palmer, the teenage para dressage rider who is raising funds to compete in Tokyo’s 2020 Paralympic Games.

At 16-year-old Izzy is the youngest member on the BEF UK Sport, Lottery funded World Class Podium potential programme.

Born in Leeds in September 2000, Izzy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy causing right hemiplegia. Despite this, the young athlete still got on her first horse at just two years old. The riding not only helped with her balance and coordination, but also enabled her to get better use of her right arm, hand and leg.

Rachelle, who made her ‘Be Part Of It’ pledge as part of Irwin Mitchell’s ‘Don’t Quit Do It’ campaign, said:

Expert Opinion

“I was lucky enough to meet Izzy when I presented her with an award at the Sue Ryder Yorkshire Women of Achievement awards.

“Despite the many obstacles Izzy has had to overcome since birth, her focus is always so positive and I want to help make her dreams possible.

“Through the work we do at Irwin Mitchell, we work closely with children and young people who suffer on a daily basis living with cerebral palsy. We focus on their rehabilitation and doing what we can to allow them to live life to the full and Izzy is a shining example of what is possible.” Rachelle Mahapatra - Partner

Since first riding a horse at just two, Izzy has not looked back and has gone from strength to strength. She is the current open national champion in her grade at para dressage and has represented Team GB five times, delivering multiple wins.

Izzy, who currently combines her education with her training, said: “I am very grateful to Rachelle, and Irwin Mitchell, for supporting my fundraising. To participate at Tokyo 2020 would be a dream come true.

“The cost of being a para equestrian begins long before the competition arenas, with estimated annual running costs of around £25,000. As you improve and progress further up to better standard competitions, the extra costs begin to increase too. These costs include travel, entry fees, and accommodation.

“While hard work is integral to moving on and up, it’s the dedication of supporters too that will help me get over that final hurdle.”

Irwin Mitchell has a long history with supporting disability sports and is the official legal services provider of the World Para Athletics Championships 2017 currently taking place in London.

As part of the law firm’s ‘Don’t Quit Do It’ campaign, they are asking all people, whether they are involved with disability sport or not, to make a pledge to ‘Be Part Of It.’ For each pledge Irwin Mitchell receives, they will donate £1 to help support disability sport.

Rachelle will begin the walk on 27th July and you can show your support for Rachelle by visiting: https://www.givey.com/rachelleiswalkingthedalesway.

To learn more about Irwin Mitchell’s ‘Don’t Quit Do It’ campaign, please visit: www.irwinmitchell.com/dqdi.