Imagine | Summer 2025
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Driving forward
How Olli turned his love of sports into his career after serious injury
Oliver Ingram sustained a severe spinal injury in a road traffic collision in August 2022. He’s learning to walk again, but his drive and determination took him out to the golf course shortly after he was discharged from hospital.
Olli started playing golf a year before the collision – he wanted to make sure he could play a game at his friends’ stag do the following year. Soon after the crash, golfing became a huge passion for him.
As part of his rehabilitation programme, funded by his legal claim, Olli was introduced to the Matt Hampson Foundation. He says, “The foundation is nothing short of amazing. They’re a real community and have a real family feel to them. They encourage everyone to get busy living and to not allow anything to hold you back.
“The facilities at the centre are amazing, and through hard work and determination the physiotherapists and occupational therapists managed to get me walking with crutches, using a hoist with crutches, and using a para-pit frame. They are still actively trying to help me work towards walking. It might take a while, but we’re all determined to see it happen.”
In June 2023, Olli was invited to play golf with Mike Tindall as part of the Mike Tindall Celebrity Golf Classic. He says, “I ended up in a bar after the event with Mike Tindall, Zara Tindall and one of the Weasley twins from Harry Potter. It was a bit of a surreal moment, but I’d never have found myself in that position if it wasn’t for the team of people behind me from both the Matt Hampson Foundation and Irwin Mitchell, motivating me to get back out there and play golf and pursue my passions.”
Since the crash, Olli has played in multiple golf tournaments across the UK and around the world, coming first in his category at the Mallorca Open in 2023 by Handisport. Olli also won the Disabled Golf Open last year which was held at the Shire as part of the Golf Trust’s Golf Day, another charity Irwin Mitchell work closely with.
Through attending competitions and events, Olli has managed to gain some traction within the golf community. He’s now the ambassador for Powerbasetec, who provide his para-motion machine, a specialist golfing wheelchair that raise the user to a standing position so they can swing a golf club freely. Olli uses his free time to help others in similar situations to him, raising awareness and using Powerbasetec’s training days and clinics to show others how to use the machine.
I’ve done things I never thought I’d do with a spinal injury
Olli
Olli’s an ambassador of Horsley Lodge Golf Club in Derbyshire, where he has a free membership so he can continue to work on his craft. He plans to set up a golf day there with multiple charities and companies that have assisted him since the crash.
“I really want to give back to the community and help others that might have gone through accidents like mine.” says Olli. “I want to show disabled people who may believe sports are no longer something they can enjoy or invest in after experiencing an accident or injury, that they absolutely can, and there are loads of resources and organisations out there to help.
“Golf has a special place in my heart, some of my favourite memories are playing with my dad after my accident. He’s always been a keen golfer, so he’s really supportive of me, he even caddies for me at my tournaments and events. He can get emotional watching me play, he’s so proud of how far I’ve come, and I love that this is something we can enjoy together.”
Olli wants to inspire others, saying, “It can be daunting to get back into sport after sustaining a serious injury. You’re not always sure of what you can and can’t do, but with the right support network around you and enough grit and determination, you can still do anything you set your mind to. Anyone can get involved in golf, sports, or other active hobbies. Getting more disabled individuals into golf is one of my missions.
“Don’t give yourself time to focus too hard on your low points, get out there and channel your energy into the things you love. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and motivate you too. I would have been really lonely following my diagnosis if I hadn’t taken the step to get out there and try new things. It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you just look ahead and keep moving. Things get easier over time, they really do.”
Olli was supported by Sarah Downs and Katie Shaw at Irwin Mitchell LLP.
“Despite what he’s been through and the injuries that he sustained, Olli’s always had such a positive attitude. From our very first meeting, he was asking questions about rehabilitation and was focused on being discharged from hospital.
Olli’s made remarkable progress with assistance from The Mat Hampson Foundation and working with the Golf Trust. We love hearing about his latest adventures and how well he’s doing playing golf.
These organisations are fundamental in supporting our clients to progress with their rehabilitation and to get involved with hobbies and activities that they may have enjoyed prior to their injuries or to encourage them to try new activities post-injury to meet new people and get back out there living their lives.”
Sarah Downs - Associate Solicitor
Olli was supported by Sarah Downs and Katie Shaw at Irwin Mitchell LLP.
“Despite what he has been through and the injuries that he sustained, Olli has always had such a positive attitude. From our very first meeting, he was asking questions about rehabilitation and was focused on being discharged from hospital.
Olli has made remarkable progress with assistance from The Mat Hampson Foundation and working with the Golf Trust. We love hearing about his latest adventures and how well he is doing playing golf.
These organisations are fundamental in supporting our clients to progress with their rehabilitation and to get involved with hobbies and activities that they may have enjoyed prior to their injuries or to encourage them to try new activities post-injury to meet new people and get back out there living their lives.”
Sarah Downs - Associate Solicitor
Legal support
If you, or a loved one’s suffered a life-changing injury, and you need support, guidance and help accessing rehabilitation, please reach out to our caring and professional team.