Imagine | Summer 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Summer 2024 A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Summer 2024
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
You can’t be what you can’t dream. But meeting real-life mentors, who’ve seen past the obstacles and achieved their goals, is a great way to cultivate the dreams of the next generation.
As the official legal partner, we teamed up with British Athletics and took three remarkable para-athletes, Hannah Cockroft, Harrison Walsh, and Thomas Young back to their primary schools. They reunited with the teachers who first inspired them and returned to the classrooms where their dreams began.
During their visit, they led their own P.E. lessons, answered questions from enthusiastic children, and shared their top tips for success. As role models in their local communities, they emphasised the importance of inclusivity, showing the children that having a disability, or feeling a little bit different, isn’t a barrier – it’s an opportunity to discover your unique strengths.
There are 9.4 million disabled people in England but only one in six takes part in sport regularly.
Hannah Cockroft
“Everything in my childhood was just about giving it a go.”
As a child, Hannah was the first disabled child to attend Wainstalls School in Halifax. Born with weak hips, deformed feet and legs, and mobility problems, Hannah also had two cardiac arrests, which left her with multiple areas of brain damage. Doctors told her parents that she’d never walk, talk, or be able to live an independent life.
Now one of the world’s best known and most successful GB & NI para-athletes, Hannah holds the world records in the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 metre T34 wheelchair track events.
As an ambassador for the school, whose motto is “Together we can.” Hannah said, as a child, “Everything I could do, I went ahead with. Anything I couldn’t do, I found a way to deal with. I was brought up with a very ‘can do, let’s try it’ attitude.”
Hannah Cockroft
“Everything in my childhood was just about giving it a go.”
As a child, Hannah was the first disabled child to attend Wainstalls School in Halifax. Born with weak hips, deformed feet and legs, and mobility problems, Hannah also had two cardiac arrests, which left her with multiple areas of brain damage. Doctors told her parents that she’d never walk, talk, or be able to live an independent life.
Now one of the world’s best known and most successful GB & NI para-athletes, Hannah holds the world records in the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 metre T34 wheelchair track events.
As an ambassador for the school, whose motto is “Together we can.” Hannah said, as a child, “Everything I could do, I went ahead with. Anything I couldn’t do, I found a way to deal with. I was brought up with a very ‘can do, let’s try it’ attitude.”
We took Hannah back to Wainstalls to share her sporting journey with a new generation. For today’s pupils, she’s an example of what children from their school can achieve. By giving them the chance to ask questions, see her medals, and join her P.E. lesson, Hannah taught them that, with an inclusive environment, the right mindset, and support from those around you, anything is possible.
She said, “It makes me incredibly proud that one of Wainstalls’ school values is ‘inclusion’. It impacts everybody and it’s so important. To have my name connected to that value and have people understand its importance because of you being here 22 years ago, it just goes to show that you never get forgotten.”
Harrison Walsh
“Be open to the opportunities.”
Harrison’s can-do attitude was recognised by his teachers at Oystermouth Primary School in Mumbles, Swansea. Driven to achieve, he started his sporting career on the rugby pitch, but a life-changing injury on the field led him to pursue new opportunities in para-sport.
Defying concerns that he’d struggle to walk and might never run again, Harrison’s determination drove him to success in the F44 para-discus event. He embodies the school motto, “Believe, Achieve, Shine Bright.”
Harrison said, “This is where I learnt to enjoy sport and really realise sport is something I could do, and that I could excel at and enjoy.”
Harrison Walsh
“Be open to the opportunities.”
Harrison’s can-do attitude was recognised by his teachers at Oystermouth Primary School in Mumbles, Swansea. Driven to achieve, he started his sporting career on the rugby pitch, but a life-changing injury on the field led him to pursue new opportunities in para-sport.
Defying concerns that he’d struggle to walk and might never run again, Harrison’s determination drove him to success in the F44 para-discus event. He embodies the school motto, “Believe, Achieve, Shine Bright.”
Harrison said, “This is where I learnt to enjoy sport and really realise sport is something I could do, and that I could excel at and enjoy.”
Taking him back to school sparked exciting conversations with the children about their future goals, helping them to believe that they can also achieve anything they set their mind to.
He said, “Seeing the kids so excited about sport is just awesome. To do a Q&A session with year six and see how excited they are about their next step and the medals – some of the questions were brilliant.”
He added, “Inclusivity is so important. To give everyone that opportunity to thrive. The thing I’m most proud of in sport is taking up the opportunity when it presented itself. Not being scared, putting fear in the back seat, and just going for it.”
Thomas Young
“I just hate giving up.”
Thomas was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 at the age of 12, a condition which affects his coordination and balance. His love of sport can be traced back to his school days and his teacher, Mr McMillan who encouraged him to get involved in running.
Thomas said, “Mr McMillan was the first teacher to introduce me to athletics. I was in year five in 2010 and he introduced me to the 200 metres and the short sprints.”
Now, a decorated para-sprinter, Thomas says, “Even though there are some things I can’t do, I love to focus on the things I can do and be the best I can be.”
Sharing his passion for sport and answering questions from the pupils gave Thomas the chance to inspire the next generation, showing them that nothing should hold them back.
He said, “It’s been a really fun day. All the kids are really engaging. They all listened and reacted and asked really fun, exciting and interesting questions.”
Thomas Young
“I just hate giving up.”
Thomas was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 at the age of 12, a condition which affects his coordination and balance. His love of sport can be traced back to his school days and his teacher, Mr McMillan who encouraged him to get involved in running.
Thomas said, “Mr McMillan was the first teacher to introduce me to athletics. I was in year five in 2010 and he introduced me to the 200 metres and the short sprints.”
Now, a decorated para-sprinter, Thomas says, “Even though there are some things I can’t do, I love to focus on the things I can do and be the best I can be.”
Sharing his passion for sport and answering questions from the pupils gave Thomas the chance to inspire the next generation, showing them that nothing should hold them back.
He said, “It’s been a really fun day. All the kids are really engaging. They all listened and reacted and asked really fun, exciting and interesting questions.”
We’re proud to partner with Irwin Mitchell, as we celebrate the role they’ve played in taking our para-athletes back to their schools and communities to inspire the future generations.
We understand where it started for our athletes – their schools, their local communities and their families – and how these were crucial building blocks to their success on and off the field of play.
British Athletics
“Sport has played a vital role for so many people we’ve worked with, and these athletes’ stories are fantastic examples of what can be achieved when people focus on what they can do, not what they can’t.
“The athletes are an inspiration to so many people and we’re delighted to have partnered with them and British Athletics to see them inspire a whole new generation at their former schools.
“We’re proud of our history of championing disability sport and our athletes showcase the very best of what people can accomplish.”
Julie Lewis – Regional Managing Partner
“Sport has played a vital role for so many people we’ve worked with, and these athletes’ stories are fantastic examples of what can be achieved when people focus on what they can do, not what they can’t.
“The athletes are an inspiration to so many people and we’re delighted to have partnered with them and British Athletics to see them inspire a whole new generation at their former schools.
“We’re proud of our history of championing disability sport and our athletes showcase the very best of what people can accomplish.”
Julie Lewis – Regional Managing Partner
Our partnerships
Find out more about our partnership with UK Athletics.