4 September 2020

Hogan Lovells awards 9 Great Britain Para athletes "Nicholas Cheffings Bursary"

In the run up to the rescheduled Paralympic Games next summer, and in what would have been the closing days of Tokyo 2020, Hogan Lovells announces the recipients of its third annual GB Para Athlete Bursary to support aspiring Paralympians.

The newly titled “Nicholas Cheffings Para Athletes Bursary” has been named after our former Chair and highly committed champion of diversity, inclusion and equality. We have selected recipients from over fifty entrants who are targeting a spot in the ParalympicsGB team competing at next year’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The athletes can use their bursary to help fund their training. This might include purchasing and replacing vital equipment, paying for travel to training camps and competitions, additional coaching, and training support services.

They are:

  1. Kare Adenegan, Athletics
  2. Hollie Arnold MBE, Athletics
  3. Jody Cundy OBE, Cycling
  4. Andy Lapthorne, Wheelchair Tennis
  5. Stephen McGuire, Boccia
  6. Laura Sugar, Canoe and Athletics
  7. Megan Shackleton, Table Tennis
  8. Gavin Walker, Wheelchair Rugby
  9. Laurence Whiteley MBE, Rowing
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This has been an incredibly challenging time for athletes as they have had to adapt to the changes in training, competition schedule and the timing of the Games themselves due to the impact of Covid-19

Mike Sharrock

Hogan Lovells is Official Legal Services Provider to the British Paralympic Association (BPA) – a long-standing relationship between the two organisations that has existed since before Beijing 2008.

Throughout this period, Hogan Lovells has provided the BPA with legal advice, secondments (including in-games legal support) and volunteers across a number of areas, supporting the ParalympicsGB team to achieve historic performances at London 2012, Sochi 2014, Rio 2016, and PyeongChang 2018.

In recent months, the firm has provided critical support to the BPA on the impact of COVID-19 and the rescheduling of the summer games, including on contracts, competition qualification and financing.

In addition to supporting the bursary recipients, Hogan Lovells continues to support their ambassador and Paralympic, world, European and Commonwealth champion Ollie Hynd MBE. Also, providing pro bono legal advice to clients including British ParaSnowSport, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby, the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation, UK Boccia Federation and the International Boccia Federation.

Our commitment to diversity & inclusion, and responsible business constitutes one of the firm’s five global strategic priorities under the leadership of CEO Miguel Zaldivar.

Mike Sharrock, Chief Executive of the BPA, said: “I would like to congratulate all the athletes who have been successful in their Nicholas Cheffings Para Athlete Bursary applications as they make their final preparations for the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games.

“This has been an incredibly challenging time for athletes as they have had to adapt to the changes in training, competition schedule and the timing of the Games themselves due to the impact of Covid-19.

“Nicholas Cheffings is a wonderful advocate for the power of Paralympic sport and the impact it can have in challenging perceptions of disability in wider society and once again we would like to thank him and Hogan Lovells for their continued support.”

Nicholas Cheffings said: “I am delighted that Hogan Lovells is continuing its bursary scheme as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the Paralympic movement. These bursaries make a real difference to the athletes’ preparation for competition. To have my name associated with the scheme is a privilege.”

Global Managing Partner for Diversity & Inclusion, and Responsible Business, Susan Bright, said: “Throughout his career, Nicholas has dedicated his time and efforts towards championing diversity, inclusion and equality. We are very pleased to recognise the commitment Nicholas has made to supporting Paralympic sport in particular”.

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