Legal firm Irwin Mitchell to sponsor double Paralympic champion Cockroft ahead of Rio 2016

Britain's Hannah Cockroft is to be sponsored by legal firm Irwin Mitchell ahead of Rio 2016 ©Irwin Mitchell

Law firm Irwin Mitchell are set to sponsor Britain’s double Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft as she aims to repeat her success at London 2012 at next year’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Irwin Mitchell previously supported clients injured while in the armed forces to compete in last year’s Invictus Games and have now started to back Cockroft, as the 23-year-old prepares for October’s International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Athletics Championships.

The wheelchair racer will be bidding to defend her world titles in the T34 100 and 200m in Doha before turning her attentions to retaining the Paralympic titles she claimed in front of her home crowd at Rio 2016.

Cockroft, who was left with disabilities after suffering two cardiac arrests shortly after her birth, expressed her happiness at the sponsorship and pointed out the law firm’s previous commitment to helping those with impairments.

"I’m extremely grateful to Irwin Mitchell for the faith they have shown in me by supporting me in the next stage of my Paralympic career," she said.

"Partnering with them is more than just sponsorship though as the firm is really committed to working with people who are fighting to overcome their disabilities and I hope I can play a role in helping inspire others.

“Disability sport is currently more popular than ever and hopefully if I keep doing what I’m doing I can be a role model for people who might be struggling to understand what their aims and ambitions should be.”

Hannah Cockroft will be hoping to defend two titles at the IPC World Championships in October ©Getty Images

As part of her preparations for the World Championships, Cockroft competed at the IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final last Sunday (July 26), claiming victory in 400m in London’s Olympic Stadium.

Andrea Burke, a partner at Irwin Mitchell, claimed by supporting an athlete like Cockroft it will inspire more disabled people to get involved in sport.

“We work with many people who have suffered serious injuries or medical negligence which has left them having to cope with disabilities for the first time,” she said.

“It can be incredibly difficult for them to come to terms with their new situation but we have seen how disability sports can really help people in their rehabilitation.

“Hannah is an inspiration to many people with what she has already achieved and how she continues to live her life, and compete professionally, with a tremendous enthusiasm.

“We are very proud to be able to help support Hannah as she seeks further success in the World Championships later this year and hopefully next year in Rio.”