Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester Office Nominates Charity of the Year

A local charity which helps sick and injured animals is set to benefit after staff at the Manchester office of Irwin Mitchell nominated it to be their Charity of the Year for 2018.

The national law firm’s initiative sees staff across each of its offices hold a range of events throughout the year to raise funds for local causes which have been selected through a vote.

The programme is part of the work of the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation, an independent charity which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary and has raised more than £1.6 million for charities in the UK and abroad.

Founded in 1967, Animals in Distress, provides 24-hour rescue support, veterinary treatment, neutering and a micro-chipping scheme for animals which have come to them as strays, which have been abandoned in cruelty cases or which are elderly and require specialist care.  

The charity also offers education and advice programmes for people wanting to adopt rescue animals as well as work experience placements for those wanting a career with animals. 

Roy Beckett, Regional Managing Partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, said: 

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“The Charity of the Year initiative has been a fundamental part of our efforts to actively support the local communities where we are based for many years and we are proud to have helped a number of incredible causes along the way.

“Animals in Distress is a fantastic cause and we are already hard at work planning out the range of events which will be held across the year to raise vital funds to support the incredible work it does.” Roy Beckett - Partner

Previous charities supported by Irwin Mitchell’s staff in Manchester include Mustard Tree and MedEquip4Kids but this year it is the turn of Animals In Distress, which care for a wide range of creatures, from cats and dogs to ponies, raccoons and even reptiles.

The charity rely solely on donations from members of the public and businesses to provide their services which include 24hr emergency work where the majority of cases stem from road accidents with owners rarely found. 

Most are treated by a vet and kept to convalesce before being neutered and re-homed. This can be expensive, as a broken leg can cost over £250 and an x-ray around £60.

The two sanctuaries operated by the charity, in Irlam and Littleborough, have rising costs which include vet's fees, animal food, cleaning products, mortgages, insurance and transport so the support from Irwin Mitchell is more vital than ever.

Mel Dunn, a spokesperson for Animals In Distress, said: “We really appreciate being chosen as Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester charity of the year as many small charities like us are struggling to survive. Though we are an animal charity primarily, we are regularly asked to help people in cases where the owner is taken ill, is sent to prison or made homeless, we may be asked to arrange care for their pet. 

“A well cared for pet, with food; warmth, love and proper veterinary treatment will give in return, love, loyalty, companionship and true friendship so we believe that caring for them is a small price to pay.”