WEBVTT
00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:15.519
Welcome to this latest episode of BBK Free Speech Podcast, brought to you by Bolt Bird and Kemp, a leading firm of solicitors for serious injury claims.
00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:19.600
My name is Rebecca Sheriff, and I'm a partner in the abuse team here at BBK.
00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:24.800
Today, however, I'm joining this podcast in my role as a trustee of the Bolt Burdona Kemp Charity.
00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:31.600
The BBK Charity was founded by the partners of BBK LLP in 2025 with the aim of giving back.
00:00:31.600 --> 00:00:55.039
As a charity, we support a broad range of charitable causes with a particular focus on helping injured people and their families in the UK, supporting charitable projects around our office in the City of London, helping people from diverse backgrounds access the legal profession as a career, and supporting initiatives which promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the legal profession.
00:00:55.039 --> 00:01:02.640
Each year we invite applications from charities and individuals, and we give out grants ranging from £100 to £10,000.
00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:06.079
Today I'm delighted to be joined by Ian Hosking.
00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:10.959
Ian recently made an application to the BBK Charity, and I'm delighted that he was successful.
00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:15.359
I'm so pleased that he's able to join us today to talk about how the grant has helped him.
00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.239
Welcome, Ian.
00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:17.200
It's a pleasure to have you.
00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:19.120
Good morning, nice to be here.
00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:23.040
So can I ask, what made you initially apply to the BBK Charity?
00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:31.120
Well, I was kind of introduced to the BBK Charity through the work that my wheelchair rugby club does with you.
00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:42.799
You're very kind in supporting the Wheelchair Rugby Club, have done for a number of years, um, you know, certainly that we couldn't do at the club what we do without your help.
00:01:42.799 --> 00:01:54.079
And I was then made aware of the charity being launched and what you were trying to achieve with it, just from those interactions that I already had with with Bob Burden Kemp.
00:01:54.079 --> 00:02:11.360
From then, it was initially I kind of spread the word to within the my wheelchair, certainly my wheelchair rugby team, to let them know that you were there and that you were willing to offer help to those that you felt that would fit the fit the bill for what it was you were trying to do.
00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:17.680
And there was um a point when actually where I thought there's something that I could do with myself.
00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:20.400
I'm just going to apply because why not?
00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:22.240
You know, the the what's the worst that can happen?
00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:24.960
You can say, sorry, we we can't help you this time.
00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:28.400
But I thought, well, let's just apply and and take it from there, really.
00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:29.439
That's fantastic.
00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:32.560
That's exactly exactly what we wanted to achieve, so that's really great.
00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:35.680
A nd tell us a bit what about what what did you use the grant for?
00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:38.800
I bought a unit called a smart drive.
00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:52.560
The smart drive is an independent power unit that goes on the back of an existing daychair to then help propel you along, and and I wanted it more so for going up sort of hills.
00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:59.120
I mean, some hills, uh depending on where in the country you are, can be monstrously hill, too, just too steep.
00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:09.280
And I know that I couldn't cope with that one up or down, but it's the ones that are just that fraction too hard to push, but you still need to be able to get up there.
00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:16.639
And and the reason I actually applied was because at the time I applied, I was spending a lot of time in St.
00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:18.000
Ives in Cornwall.
00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:24.000
Beautiful place, grew up there, was much easier being there before injury.
00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:28.400
Going there now, visiting as a wheelchair user, it's damn hard work.
00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:42.960
It's hilly, it's cobbly, it's it's a challenge, and as and as fit as I am from the wheelchair rugby, it was becoming more of a challenge because let's be fair, you know, I'm I'm also aging, I'm an aging tetra.
00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:48.879
I don't have the same umph I did have 15 years ago, um, but I'm still pretty fit and active.
00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:51.680
However, this extra little help was something I needed.
00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:58.800
At the time, I was spending an awful lot of time in Cornwall because sadly, I I recently lost my dad.
00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:05.759
Um, I was visiting dad an awful lot, so I was probably down in Cornwall every two or three weeks.
00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:11.120
Um that may have even got more frequent as his health declined.
00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:17.040
Um, and it was just something I just felt I need I needed something to help me get there and get around.
00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:25.360
We now I've got I'm one of three brothers, and it was kind of like we now want to spend as much time as we can with our dad as possible while he's still here.
00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:30.639
And for the first sort of two and a half years, you'd barely know there was anything wrong with him.
00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:34.000
But but we did, so we all spent a lot more time with him.
00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:36.800
So it sounds like it's made quite quite a difference to you.
00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:38.160
Is it is it quite easy to use?
00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:40.240
Yeah, it is easy to use, yeah.
00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:50.560
It's um it it's you can actually pair it to a smartwatch so that you can power it by banging your arm against your lap or the wheel to turn it on and off.
00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:53.360
So it's kind of it's it's so easy to use.
00:04:53.360 --> 00:05:00.879
Um when you put it on the chair, you you've got a bracket that goes on the rear axle of your chair, and and then you hook it on.
00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:09.040
Uh, and you once you've paired your smartwatch to it, you can go two taps to start it, and the speed will slowly ramp up.
00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:17.839
And when you get to the speed that you want to get to, one tap will keep it at that pace, and then when you want to stop, it's two taps and it will stop.
00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:20.000
So it was it was very easy to use.
00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:28.000
The only the most tricky thing about it is actually fitting it to your chair when you are in it, because you're trying to do it from behind.
00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:30.480
Uh, that that is the most tricky thing about it.
00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:31.920
That sounds fantastic.
00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:37.199
And is that something that any wheelchair user could use, or is it specific to the the type of wheelchair or is it to do it?
00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:44.079
No, no, any wheelchair, because even uh a folding I mean, there are different types of wheelchair, as I'm sure you appreciate.
00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:47.920
My chair is a rigid frame chair, so it's very easy to fit to mine.
00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:53.439
Even the the chairs that sort of collapse sideways, um, you can fit that same adaption on that.
00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:57.279
You've just got to fit a bar onto the chair before you put the smart drive onto it.
00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:00.399
So the smart drive won't let you go on the bar that you fitted on the wheelchair.
00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:02.000
Oh, that sounds fantastic.
00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:06.000
U I mean, how how did you find the whole process of applying to the charity?
00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:07.199
What was the process for you?
00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:08.959
It was really easy, actually.
00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:15.279
I just followed the link, filled in the questions that were being asked.
00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:37.279
I think probably sometimes if you can give it a little bit more detail than just saying, I would like X, okay, maybe you would like X item, but you need to give a little bit more background as to why you need it, how is it going to benefit you, that kind of thing, just so that the panel then that are reading the grants kind of just got more idea of what it is they're dealing with.
00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:40.399
But but actually, uh the application process really quite easy.
00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:41.600
Yeah, that's exactly right.
00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:50.000
It's a simple application form, and we really just want to hear from you, like you said, not just what what the grant would be for, but how it will impact you and how it will change your life.
00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:56.399
And actually, we've already heard from you today that it sounds like it's it's it's really made a difference for you, particularly when you're down in Cornwall.
00:06:56.639 --> 00:07:03.360
It it was one of those things, it made a big difference, and we'll continue to do so, because actually I'm going to Cornwall this very weekend coming up.
00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:07.360
Okay, not to see my dad anymore, because like I said, sadly, dad's gone.
00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:20.240
Um, but it was certainly something it was hugely beneficial when obviously when you're your parents, you when you're on the cusp of losing one that you're very close to, it's a hard time emotionally.
00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:27.360
And then to have this unit to make it physically easier for me, it it made a big difference right when I needed it.
00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:32.399
Oh, I'm I'm really, really pleased, and thank you so much for coming here to to share that with us.
00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:35.600
So, is it safe to assume that you would encourage other people to apply?
00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:37.040
Certainly apply, yeah.
00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:42.879
And as I say, just give the information, explain why you need a particular item and how it's going to help you.
00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:48.639
Um you know, the the the the help is there if if you sort of put put the effort in yourself.
00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:51.600
Absolutely, and that's you know, that's the whole purpose, that's why we're here.
00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:55.839
We want to give back and help as many people as we can at the BBK charity.
00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:59.519
Um, thank you so much, Ian, um, for coming and speaking to us today.
00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:00.319
It's been great to see you.
00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:01.759
Not at all, you're most welcome.
00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:02.399
Thank you.
00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:06.160
Join us again on the next episode of the BBK Free Speech Podcast.
00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:11.199
Please click and follow wherever you're listening to this podcast from to be notified of all future episodes.
00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:12.319
Thank you for listening.
00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:13.519
Goodbye.
00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:15.519
Welcome to this latest episode of BBK Free Speech Podcast, brought to you by Bolt Bird and Kemp, a leading firm of solicitors for serious injury claims.
00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:19.600
My name is Rebecca Sheriff, and I'm a partner in the abuse team here at BBK.
00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:24.800
Today, however, I'm joining this podcast in my role as a trustee of the Bolt Burdona Kemp Charity.
00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:31.600
The BBK Charity was founded by the partners of BBK LLP in 2025 with the aim of giving back.
00:00:31.600 --> 00:00:55.039
As a charity, we support a broad range of charitable causes with a particular focus on helping injured people and their families in the UK, supporting charitable projects around our office in the City of London, helping people from diverse backgrounds access the legal profession as a career, and supporting initiatives which promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the legal profession.
00:00:55.039 --> 00:01:02.640
Each year we invite applications from charities and individuals, and we give out grants ranging from £100 to £10,000.
00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:06.079
Today I'm delighted to be joined by Ian Hosking.
00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:10.959
Ian recently made an application to the BBK Charity, and I'm delighted that he was successful.
00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:15.359
I'm so pleased that he's able to join us today to talk about how the grant has helped him.
00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.239
Welcome, Ian.
00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:17.200
It's a pleasure to have you.
00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:19.120
Good morning, nice to be here.
00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:23.040
So can I ask, what made you initially apply to the BBK Charity?
00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:31.120
Well, I was kind of introduced to the BBK Charity through the work that my wheelchair rugby club does with you.
00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:42.799
You're very kind in supporting the Wheelchair Rugby Club, have done for a number of years, um, you know, certainly that we couldn't do at the club what we do without your help.
00:01:42.799 --> 00:01:54.079
And I was then made aware of the charity being launched and what you were trying to achieve with it, just from those interactions that I already had with with Bob Burden Kemp.
00:01:54.079 --> 00:02:11.360
From then, it was initially I kind of spread the word to within the my wheelchair, certainly my wheelchair rugby team, to let them know that you were there and that you were willing to offer help to those that you felt that would fit the fit the bill for what it was you were trying to do.
00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:17.680
And there was um a point when actually where I thought there's something that I could do with myself.
00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:20.400
I'm just going to apply because why not?
00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:22.240
You know, the the what's the worst that can happen?
00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:24.960
You can say, sorry, we we can't help you this time.
00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:28.400
But I thought, well, let's just apply and and take it from there, really.
00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:29.439
That's fantastic.
00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:32.560
That's exactly exactly what we wanted to achieve, so that's really great.
00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:35.680
A nd tell us a bit what about what what did you use the grant for?
00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:38.800
I bought a unit called a smart drive.
00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:52.560
The smart drive is an independent power unit that goes on the back of an existing daychair to then help propel you along, and and I wanted it more so for going up sort of hills.
00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:59.120
I mean, some hills, uh depending on where in the country you are, can be monstrously hill, too, just too steep.
00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:09.280
And I know that I couldn't cope with that one up or down, but it's the ones that are just that fraction too hard to push, but you still need to be able to get up there.
00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:16.639
And and the reason I actually applied was because at the time I applied, I was spending a lot of time in St.
00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:18.000
Ives in Cornwall.
00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:24.000
Beautiful place, grew up there, was much easier being there before injury.
00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:28.400
Going there now, visiting as a wheelchair user, it's damn hard work.
00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:42.960
It's hilly, it's cobbly, it's it's a challenge, and as and as fit as I am from the wheelchair rugby, it was becoming more of a challenge because let's be fair, you know, I'm I'm also aging, I'm an aging tetra.
00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:48.879
I don't have the same umph I did have 15 years ago, um, but I'm still pretty fit and active.
00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:51.680
However, this extra little help was something I needed.
00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:58.800
At the time, I was spending an awful lot of time in Cornwall because sadly, I I recently lost my dad.
00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:05.759
Um, I was visiting dad an awful lot, so I was probably down in Cornwall every two or three weeks.
00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:11.120
Um that may have even got more frequent as his health declined.
00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:17.040
Um, and it was just something I just felt I need I needed something to help me get there and get around.
00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:25.360
We now I've got I'm one of three brothers, and it was kind of like we now want to spend as much time as we can with our dad as possible while he's still here.
00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:30.639
And for the first sort of two and a half years, you'd barely know there was anything wrong with him.
00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:34.000
But but we did, so we all spent a lot more time with him.
00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:36.800
So it sounds like it's made quite quite a difference to you.
00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:38.160
Is it is it quite easy to use?
00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:40.240
Yeah, it is easy to use, yeah.
00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:50.560
It's um it it's you can actually pair it to a smartwatch so that you can power it by banging your arm against your lap or the wheel to turn it on and off.
00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:53.360
So it's kind of it's it's so easy to use.
00:04:53.360 --> 00:05:00.879
Um when you put it on the chair, you you've got a bracket that goes on the rear axle of your chair, and and then you hook it on.
00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:09.040
Uh, and you once you've paired your smartwatch to it, you can go two taps to start it, and the speed will slowly ramp up.
00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:17.839
And when you get to the speed that you want to get to, one tap will keep it at that pace, and then when you want to stop, it's two taps and it will stop.
00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:20.000
So it was it was very easy to use.
00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:28.000
The only the most tricky thing about it is actually fitting it to your chair when you are in it, because you're trying to do it from behind.
00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:30.480
Uh, that that is the most tricky thing about it.
00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:31.920
That sounds fantastic.
00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:37.199
And is that something that any wheelchair user could use, or is it specific to the the type of wheelchair or is it to do it?
00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:44.079
No, no, any wheelchair, because even uh a folding I mean, there are different types of wheelchair, as I'm sure you appreciate.
00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:47.920
My chair is a rigid frame chair, so it's very easy to fit to mine.
00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:53.439
Even the the chairs that sort of collapse sideways, um, you can fit that same adaption on that.
00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:57.279
You've just got to fit a bar onto the chair before you put the smart drive onto it.
00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:00.399
So the smart drive won't let you go on the bar that you fitted on the wheelchair.
00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:02.000
Oh, that sounds fantastic.
00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:06.000
U I mean, how how did you find the whole process of applying to the charity?
00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:07.199
What was the process for you?
00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:08.959
It was really easy, actually.
00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:15.279
I just followed the link, filled in the questions that were being asked.
00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:37.279
I think probably sometimes if you can give it a little bit more detail than just saying, I would like X, okay, maybe you would like X item, but you need to give a little bit more background as to why you need it, how is it going to benefit you, that kind of thing, just so that the panel then that are reading the grants kind of just got more idea of what it is they're dealing with.
00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:40.399
But but actually, uh the application process really quite easy.
00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:41.600
Yeah, that's exactly right.
00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:50.000
It's a simple application form, and we really just want to hear from you, like you said, not just what what the grant would be for, but how it will impact you and how it will change your life.
00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:56.399
And actually, we've already heard from you today that it sounds like it's it's it's really made a difference for you, particularly when you're down in Cornwall.
00:06:56.639 --> 00:07:03.360
It it was one of those things, it made a big difference, and we'll continue to do so, because actually I'm going to Cornwall this very weekend coming up.
00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:07.360
Okay, not to see my dad anymore, because like I said, sadly, dad's gone.
00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:20.240
Um, but it was certainly something it was hugely beneficial when obviously when you're your parents, you when you're on the cusp of losing one that you're very close to, it's a hard time emotionally.
00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:27.360
And then to have this unit to make it physically easier for me, it it made a big difference right when I needed it.
00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:32.399
Oh, I'm I'm really, really pleased, and thank you so much for coming here to to share that with us.
00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:35.600
So, is it safe to assume that you would encourage other people to apply?
00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:37.040
Certainly apply, yeah.
00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:42.879
And as I say, just give the information, explain why you need a particular item and how it's going to help you.
00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:48.639
Um you know, the the the the help is there if if you sort of put put the effort in yourself.
00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:51.600
Absolutely, and that's you know, that's the whole purpose, that's why we're here.
00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:55.839
We want to give back and help as many people as we can at the BBK charity.
00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:59.519
Um, thank you so much, Ian, um, for coming and speaking to us today.
00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:00.319
It's been great to see you.
00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:01.759
Not at all, you're most welcome.
00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:02.399
Thank you.
00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:06.160
Join us again on the next episode of the BBK Free Speech Podcast.
00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:11.199
Please click and follow wherever you're listening to this podcast from to be notified of all future episodes.
00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:12.319
Thank you for listening.
00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:13.519
Goodbye.
