Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle Office Nominates Charity of the Year

A charity committed to helping wheelchair users access specialist gym and fitness services is set for a fundraising boost after colleagues at the Newcastle office of Irwin Mitchell nominated the organisation to be their Charity of the Year for 2019.

The national law firm’s annual charity initiative sees staff across 13 of its offices take part in a vote to select a good cause which they can support through both voluntary work and fundraising events.

It is part of work undertaken by the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF), an independent charity founded in 1997 which has raised more than £1.8 million for charities in the UK and abroad.

This year, the Newcastle office of Irwin Mitchell has voted to support Pop-Up Gym. Established in 2018, the Gateshead-based charity offers fitness support and access to specialist gym equipment to wheelchair users with all types of conditions.

Paula Myers, Regional Managing Partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office, said: 

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“As a firm we have always been passionate about doing what we can to support important causes and organisations through the IMCF and the Charity of the Year initiative.

“Pop-Up Gym is a fantastic local initiative which is providing support to wheelchair users affected by a range of conditions and allowing them to access specialist equipment to boost their fitness.

“We are delighted to be supporting the charity and are already planning a range of activities across the year which will ensure that vital funds are raised to assist its work.” Paula Myers - Partner

Pop-Up Gym founder Drew Graham suffered a spinal cord injury while working in the US and, after getting state-of-the-art rehabilitation on the other side of the Atlantic, returned to the UK to find access to similar equipment was lacking.

This led him to develop the charity, with the gym being regularly attended by a number of members everyday. Among those is Irwin Mitchell client Eddie, who suffered a spinal injury and uses the services to maintain his fitness.

Eddie said: “Being part of the gym has given me the confidence to face the world as a man in a wheelchair, instead of a man with a spinal cord injury. Drew and his staff have managed to create a community that is motivational, inspirational and life changing and I would be lost without it.”

Funds raised by Irwin Mitchell will go towards helping the charity to purchase more specialist equipment, including wheelchairs which allow for a full-body workout and a wheelchair-accessible exercise machine.

Drew Graham said: “We are delighted to have been selected as the charity of the year for Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office.

“This will help us to continue to provide specialised rehabilitation and fitness training for wheelchair users in the North East and we are very much looking to fundraising with the Irwin Mitchell staff throughout 2019.”

Read about Irwin Mitchell's CSR work.