Hogan Lovells shows support for the BPA and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with 100 Days to Tokyo Challenge

A total of 24 teams comprising 138 determined participants cycled, ran, and walked across a virtual route from the firm’s Birmingham office via London, Moscow, and several other checkpoints headed toward the National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. World and Paralympic Champion Jody Cundy OBE celebrated the ‘50 Days to Go’ mark by joining a virtual Zwift ride with participants and providing much needed words of encouragement, motivation, and tips. In the last week of the Challenge, 11 teams reached Tokyo and began making their way back along the virtual route, while the remaining 13 teams progressed further along the virtual route to the finish line. The challenge finished on 24 August 2021, when the Paralympic opening ceremony commenced at the Tokyo National Stadium.

Collectively, the 24 teams have raised £8374.85 for the British Paralympic Association and traveled over 105,184 kilometres. Click here to view the full list of teams and their JustGiving Pages.

Fabienne Gress, EMEA Responsible Business Assistant Manager, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Hogan Lovells 100 Days to Tokyo Challenge. Congratulations also to all ParalympicsGB team members, including our Nicholas Cheffings Bursary Para athletes, who have been competing in Tokyo. Our participation in the challenge demonstrates our support of Para sport globally and highlights our core focus of ability inclusion that the firm recognises is crucial to achieving the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.”

Steven McEwan, UK Fundraising Partnerships Co-Chair and participant, said: “The updates on the teams’ performances have shown the remarkable amount people can achieve when they have a common goal. Most motivating of all have been the Paralympians, including Jody Cundy, whose ability to overcome adversity to reach elite athleticism shows us that when allowed to flourish the human spirit knows no limits. It’s wonderful to support the BPA in its work to inspire participation in sport for people of all abilities. Thank you to everyone who has donated, and a special thank you to our colleagues in the Responsible Business and Wellbeing teams for a brilliant job of organising over the past 100 days.”  

Delivering on the firm’s commitments to diversity & inclusion and responsible business, Hogan Lovells has also provided pro bono legal support for the Para Sport Against Stigma project that for the first time allows viewers across Sub-Saharan African countries to watch the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies, as well as daily 52-minute highlights packages of African-centered content featuring the continent’s biggest Paralympic heroes and rising stars.