U.K. law firm Irwin Mitchell and the Bluelight Cycling Club have announced they are joining forces as part of an exciting new partnership. The not-for-profit club is welcoming the legal experts on board to help raise awareness of the work it does to support the physical and mental wellbeing of the National Health Service (NHS), fire service, police, coastguard, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), prison service and armed forces.
The organization was created by director and co-founder Colin Nye. He planned a London2Paris ride to raise funds for the charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS) following the death of PC Andrew Harper. Sadly, however, the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the ride was postponed. It eventually took place in June 2021 when 60 riders rode a U.K. route over four days, raising an impressive total of £21,000 for COPS. Among those taking part were club ambassadors Andy Goode, Martin Johnson and Austin Healy, and ex-Commonwealth track sprinter Chris Pritchard. Last May, just weeks before the charity ride, the Bluelight Cycling Club and its website was launched. A virtual club house was set up for members around the U.K. to allow them to come together and plan rides.
“We’re delighted to be teaming up with the Bluelight Cycling Club, which is still a relatively new organization but has made a big impact since its launch last year,” said Jayne Campbell, Senior Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell. “Through our work, we come across many people suffering with mental health issues, and the club carries out vital work supporting those affected in the emergency services and armed forces. It’s important that people look after their wellbeing and we look forward to working alongside the members to ensure help is provided to those that need it. As the club’s sole legal sponsor, we will also be on hand to offer legal advice to members.”
Colin Nye, director and co-founder of Bluelight Cycling Club, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have Irwin Mitchell as our new partner and look forward to benefiting from the firm’s vast expertise and knowledge. “Our mission is to improve the wellbeing and mental health of our members through cycling by encouraging and supporting the joys of cycling, advocating for safe places to ride, and producing inclusive rides and events. As well as the U.K. ride, our members were also invited to take part in the Tour of Britain and The Women’s Tour, and hope to participate again this year.
“Our website is a great way of finding out what we’re doing and also hosts our wellness and mental health zone, signposting various charities, groups and individuals who can offer bespoke assistance to those in need of support. We are already planning rides in the U.K. and France for 2022 and can’t wait to see what the year holds for us with our new partner by our side.” Bluelight Cycling Club supports five charities – NHS Charities Together, Help For Heroes, COPS, Firefighters Charity, and Coast Guard Association.
Read the announcement at Irwin Mitchell
