International Day of Charity 2025

September 5, 2025

To mark International Day of Charity 2025, Exchange Chambers celebrates its partnership with the Rooprai Spinal Trust (RST).

In October 2024, Exchange Chambers named RST as its new charity partner.

RST was established in 2005, inspired by Marrianne Rooprai who was paralysed from the shoulders down after a devastating car accident in the summer of 2004.

Andy Uttridge, co-founder of RST and Marrianne Rooprai’s partner, says Exchange’ support has helped the charity immeasurably during 2025.

“Establishing partnerships like this one are not only financially beneficial, but they also help raise awareness of the work we do with those affected by spinal cord injuries,” says Andy. “We know first-hand how life can change in a blink of an eye and it’s vital that anyone in this situation knows there is help available.”

The first fundraising event organised by Exchange Chambers for RST was a black-tie charity dinner in Manchester raising close to £20,000. Other fundraising events have included barristers and staff from Exchange taking on the challenge of climbing Helvellyn via Striding Edge in the Lake District.

Thanks to its partnership with Exchange Chambers, RST has been able to offer real, life-changing support.

One such example is Tucker, a man in his 70s living with tetraplegia after a fall down the stairs left him paralysed and with limited support. RST was able to fully fund Tucker’s intensive four-week course at The Rehab Physio in Wirral which would have been out of reach for him without Exchange’s support.

Beyond one-to-one rehab support, Exchange has also helped to launch RST’s new ‘Back to the Gym’ initiative in collaboration with VIM Health in Brighton. This programme is designed to help wheelchair users regain confidence and strength through gym-based exercise and is set to be rolled out to other areas across the UK.

RST has also been able to extend its Physiotherapy Scholarship Programme welcoming ten more individuals including a young mum from Manchester paralysed after a fall, a dad from Cheshire injured in a surfing accident, a teenager from Doncaster injured in a cycling accident and a proud Welshman from Cardiff also injured in cycling accident.

Jonathan I’Anson, Exchange Chambers CEO says Exchange is proud to support RST.

“We are delighted to be supporting RST as our charity partner,” explains Jonathan.

“As a full-service barristers’ Chambers, one of our areas of specialism is complex personal injury work. Our barristers and staff are very aware of the life-changing impact of spinal cord injury and the need to shine a light on the importance of post paralysis support.”