THE annual ‘Going The Extra Mile Scuba Challenge’ has been deemed a great success after managing to raise over £2,000 towards funds for Warrington Disability Partnership.
The challenge was founded 7 years ago to help raises fund for WDP and provide opportunities for disabled people to try the sport of Scuba Diving.
Dave Thompson MBE DL, joint founder and Chief Executive, is a full-time wheelchair user after sustaining a spinal cord injury whilst playing American Football in 1989. He has tetraplegia, with limited use in his left arm and none in his right arm and both legs. Dave started scuba diving in 2009, he is PADI Advanced Open Water accredited, with 200 dives.
Dave was joined by over 30 able bodied and disabled divers including his dive buddy, Dave Williams, Dave Kelsall who is living with stage 4 cancer of the oesophagus, John Munslow who has had spinal surgery, Mark Purslow who has Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy and also a full-time wheelchair user and two families, led by Dave Sloan and Dave Thompson who both had three generations taking part. The youngest being 8 years old Heather-May Sloan, who completed the mile, 64 lengths and Dave Thompson’s 9-year-old granddaughter, Chloe, who completed 22 lengths. All the scuba divers involved said the two youngsters were inspirational.
Dave Thompson CEO of WDP said: “The event was only made possible because of the team at Livewire for providing the pool, facilities and their staff, Derek Howden and his team at Cheshire Scuba Academy for providing the kit, instructors, underwater and poolside support, plus admin and counters from Birchwood and Warrington Lions and WDP staff and volunteers.”
“A huge thank you to all of the scuba divers, qualified and those taking part in the try dives, everyone behind the scenes and everyone who has made a donation.”
It’s not too late to make a donation online via Just Giving www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wdpscuba2018 or call in to any of WDP’s services to make a donation.
WDP have already starting planning next year’s annual Scuba Challenge, the “The Three Deeps Challenge” which will involve diving in three countries in one day. An early morning 18 metre dive in Loch Long in Scotland, a mid-day 18m dive in Capernwray in England and an early evening 18m dive in Vivian Quarry in North Wales.
If you are interested in supporting next year’s challenge, as a diver, an assistant or sponsor, please contact Dave Thompson via [email protected] or telephone 01925 240064.
