Alfie Hewett Becomes Latest High Profile Sports Star To Support Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit, Do It Campaign

British number one wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett has become the latest high profile sports star to become an official partner of Irwin Mitchell’s Don’t Quit, Do It campaign to raise awareness of disability sports.

The law firm has been championing the benefits of disability sport for many years under the Don’t Quit, Do It campaign as its clients who have suffered serious injuries have found getting involved in sports provides a boost in their rehabilitation and recovery.

As part of Don’t Quit, Do It Irwin Mitchell has sponsored the English Amputee Football Association for the past few years and works with gold-medal winning paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE. They were also the official legal provider to the 2017 World Para Championships in London.

Now the British number one wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett, who is currently the British number one, has become the latest athlete to sign up to support the campaign. The 20-year-old was born with a congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot and had open heart surgery when he was just six months old. At the age of six he was then diagnosed with Perthes Disease, which is a rare condition affecting the hip.

In 2005 Alfie started to play wheelchair tennis after attending a Tennis Foundation Camp. By 2008 he was playing in his first tournament, and by 2012 was the Junior Masters singles and doubles champion.

Now Alfie has already had a spell as world number one and has won grand slam titles both individually and in doubles competition. He also won two silver medals at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

The increasing popularity of wheelchair tennis means Alfie is now a familiar figure to many and one of his rallies in the 2017 Wimbledon doubles competition went viral on social media.

Speaking about Don’t Quit Do It, Alfie said: “It’s great that Irwin Mitchell is doing so much to raise awareness of disability sport and help people across the country to get involved. Playing wheelchair tennis has given me so many great opportunities so far, and I’m hoping I can inspire others to get involved and enjoy sport as much I do.

“There is growing momentum around British disability sport and I know that more and more people are being encouraged to get started and are now being given more support to try sports and compete. Funding is always an issue so having organisations such as Irwin Mitchell onboard will be a big boost, enabling people to compete.”

Irwin Mitchell’s disability sport grants programme has recently given out more than £60k to 125 individuals and organisations involved in disability sports at varying levels to help them cover the costs of basics such as equipment and travel.

Expert Opinion

“Although still only young, Alfie is an inspiration to others and despite his illness has become one of the best players in the world which is a remarkable achievement.

“Our Don’t Quit, Do It campaign is about supporting people of all abilities in disability sport, through grassroots participation and high level athletes such as Hannah Cockroft and Alfie. We want to raise awareness of the benefits of disability sport and how it can help people both physically and psychologically after they have suffered serious injuries or illness.

“Having Alfie as a partner and supporting the campaign will help us reach even more people and help inspire the next generation." Ian Christian - Partner

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's Don't Quit, Do It disability sports campaign here.