£2,000 Donation Up For Grabs From National Law Firm Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit, Do It Campaign

Southampton wheelchair rugby club Team Solent Sharks is asking the local community to support it in a special competition to raise awareness of inclusive sport which could see it receive a cheque for £2000 to help fund its activities in the region.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit, Do It campaign seeks to support the benefits both physically and psychologically of being involved in disability sports and is supported by multiple gold-medal winning paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE.

In 2017 the firm asked people from across the UK to Be Part of It and pledge their support for inclusive sport and the people who play, watch, volunteer, fundraise and support it. For every pledge, Irwin Mitchell promised to donate £1 back to grass roots clubs and charities that make disability sport possible up and down the country.

Over the next few weeks Irwin Mitchell is running a vote for three shortlisted charities and clubs with the winner receiving a cheque for £2000 to help support the great work they do and the two other receiving £500 each. The three organisations shortlisted for the prize are:
• The 53 Foundation
• Team Solent Sharks
• Kings Hill Frame Football

Stuart Henderson is the managing partner of Personal Injury at Irwin Mitchell.

Expert Opinion

We received just short of 1000 pledges from people involved in inclusive sports in some way which is remarkable and we’ve tripled this to thank everyone for showing their support and helping to raise awareness of disability sport.

“We’ve seen first-hand through our clients and the organisations we work with how much disability and inclusive sports can help people and it’s crucial that they receive more support so that more people can benefit.” Stuart Henderson - Partner

Team Solent Sharks Club Chairman Peter Hull MBE said: “We’re delighted to be part of Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit, Do It campaign and we hope the local community can get behind us and vote for us so that we can get the maximum funding. Inclusive sports and activities does so much to boost the confidence of those involved and so every penny we receive in fundraising can help us to have an impact on someone’s’ life.”

The vote will run until Sunday 17 December and you can vote for your favourite charity as many times as you’d like. The winners will be announced on Monday 18 December.

Kent-based Kings Hill Frame Football support a sport for those who require a walker frame for mobility. It's about bringing football to all so they can enjoy their game. The club has been running since July 2016 and in that time have won three national tournaments. They began with just four players and have now grown to 11. 

They welcome players of all abilities from age 4-16 with the only stipulation being that they need to play in a walking frame or on crutches. 

The funds would be used to help with the costs of hiring training facilities, kits, equipment and walking frames so that they can grow the club even more and provide further opportunities for children with additional needs in the South-East. 

The 53 Foundation creates active opportunities for people with disabilities. They help fund new equipment, facilities and transport assistance for disabled sporting clubs, groups, community projects and individuals, creating active opportunities for a wide variety of amazing people.

The aim is not just to “create active opportunities” but also to enable people to gain confidence and build friendships through sport.

The 53 Foundation would not be able to do the work it does with so many amazing people without the fantastic support of its fundraisers and this money will be used to help more people take part in disability sport.

South coast based Team Solent Sharks wheelchair rugby club are on a mission to offer sporting opportunities to the disabled community across the south coast. The team welcomes players from a wide range of sporting backgrounds, including elite athletes and beginners alike.

Whilst providing opportunities for players, the club also seeks to engage Southampton Solent University students by providing them a unique opportunity to interact with a disability sports team.

Reflecting the club's community roots, the Solent Sharks regularly participate in community sports events in conjunction with local groups to promote disability sport and wheelchair rugby within Southampton and its surrounding areas.

The sport itself is intense and exhilarating combining elements of rugby, basketball and handball and is played by all ages.

To vote for your choice click here