A LONG-established construction firm and a health and social care education provider have been named as principle sponsors of this year’s Disability Awareness Day at Warrington.
Harry Fairclough Construction, of Warrington and Leigh-based Expanse Learning Group are joint principle sponsors of Warrington Disability Partnership’s showpiece event, which takes place on Sunday, July 14 in a huge tented village at Walton Hall Gardens.
Disability Awareness Day (DAD) is the world’s largest “not for profit” voluntary-led disability exhibition and this year’s event will mark its 28th anniversary.
Dave Thompson, co-founder and chief executive of Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP) announced the sponsorships at an event hosted by the Mayor, Cllr Karen Mundry, at the Town Hall.
He said: “We feel honored and humbled that DAD continues to receive the support from all of our sponsors, and the exhibitors and thousands of visitors each year”.
DAD offers something for all the family with attractions such as the tented village housing about 250 exhibitors, live entertainment and a fully accessible sports zone and arts marquee.
John Gartside, chairman of WDP’s board of trustees, said: “It’s a free event, but without the sponsors it wouldn’t take place. The sponsorship is vital to us.”
Harry Fairclough Construction delivers building and civil engineering projects across the north of England with a 120 year heritage based on their founder, Harry Fairclough.
Company chairman Martin Budden said:
The chairman of Harry Fairclough Construction, Martin Budden said “Listening to Dave, it’s about a can do attitude, an opportunity to allow people to reach their potential and when you look at it from that perspective, why wouldn’t you want to be involved in the event?”.
Expanse Learning, are a leading provider of education, health and social care and professional skills development across the North West and recently teamed up with WDP with a supported internships programme for young disabled people.
Chief executive Tony Brown said: “Last year it was absolutely amazing to see the passion of people talking about what DAD is all about. It’s something that we’re really pleased to be involved in”.
The Mayor, who had chosen WDP as one of her charities this year, said: “The DAD day is fantastic. It’s not just in Warrington. That’s where it started, but it’s all over the world in 10 countries and its brilliant that it started here in Warrington”
