Lawyers Set To Test Skills At Salford Quays Competition

The Manchester office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell will be Racing The Dragon for a spinal cord charity at the Salford Dragon Boat Festival.

The Festival takes place at the Helly Hansen Watersports Centre in Salford Quays on Sunday 20th May, and is a charity fundraising event. Each team that enters the race is asked to nominate a charity to raise funds for, and each team member is asked to raise at least £50.

Irwin Mitchell is raising money for Back Up, a charity that helps people who have suffered spinal cord injuries. The charity supports over 800 people a year, of all ages and injuries, to help them lead the life they want following suffering a spinal cord injury.

The team from Irwin Mitchell is one of over 18 entrants into the competition and the team comprises of 15 members, from both the Personal Legal Services and Business Legal Services divisions of the business.

Jonathan Betts, race team member and Regional Managing Partner for Personal Injury at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, said: 

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“We are delighted to be taking part in the Salford Dragon Boat Festival again, while being able to help a charity very close to our hearts at Irwin Mitchell.

“Through our work, we see the devastating impact spinal cord injuries have on those that suffer them. Back Up does fantastic work in helping people rebuild their confidence after suffering an injury and they help put independence back into people’s lives.

“Many of their volunteers and team members have been affected by spinal cord injury so they have a strong understanding of the challenges an injury can pose. They are with those they help, and their families, through every stage and I cannot speak highly enough of the work they do.” Jonathan Betts - Partner

For those new to dragon boat racing, a team is made up of 13 to 20 members, with a maximum of 16 paddlers and a drummer being allowed to compete in a single race.

The race course will cover the whole length of Ontario Dock, around 180 metres, and each team will have a minimum of three timed races. The teams that complete any singular race in the fastest time will go into the Grand Final race.

Tim Farr, Corporate Sponsorships Manager at Back Up Trust, said: “We are grateful to Irwin Mitchell for supporting us as and we look forward to cheering them on as they take on the Salford Dragon Boat race.

“At Back Up, our vision is a world where people with a spinal cord injury can realise their full potential.

“We aim to achieve this by inspiring people affected by spinal cord injury to transform their lives, challenge perceptions of disability and deliver services that build confidence and independence and offer a supportive network.”

To show your support to the Irwin Mitchell team, click here.