DAVE Thompson – founder and co-ordinator of the internationally acclaimed Disability Awareness Day at Warrington – is taking the plunge to raise money to avert a funding crisis threatening the 20th anniversary of the event.
Warrington Disability Partnership – organisers of DAD – have launched the “Go the Extra Mile” challenge to raise £10,000 to fill a funding gap caused by the impending demise of its main sponsor, the North West Development Agency.
Dave, who received the MBE for services to disabled people in 2001, decided to kick-start the challenge himself – with an ambitious one mile scuba dive.
The feat – 66 lengths of a standard swimming pool – would be an ordeal for most people, but is more so for Dave who has been a full-time wheelchair user since a sporting accident in 1989.
This left him with only limited use in his left arm and none in his right arm or legs.
Dave completed his Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open Water qualification in May last year and then, last October, achieved the Advanced Open Water qualification. He is now one of only a relatively small number of disabled divers across the world.
His dive buddy is his brother-in-law and DAD stewards controller Graham Horton.
Anyone who would like to organise their own “Go the Extra Mile” challenge to help DAD should contact the fundraising team on 01925 240064.
The DAD team has already restructured the event to minimise the impact of the loss of NWDA funding.
But Dave Thompson said: “Even after a complete restructure we are still £10,000 short.”
Donations can be made on line by CLICKING HERE
Pictured: Dave in training for his challenge
Dave takes the plunge for DAD
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
7 Comments
Good luck Dave – you are truly inspirational!
Disability Awareness Day is such a fantastic event – lack of funding possibly preventing the Event taking place in it’s 20th year is unthinkable. Hope Dave and WDP manage to raise the funds needed.
Good luck Dave, there are many people who really appreciate all the work you do. What a sorry state we are in when even DAD has funding cut! Why can’t the body replacing the NWDA give the funding?
Good luck Dave and Graham!! Proud of you both!! love and hugs Rach xx
Graham ‘Beany’ Horton (my hubby) is accompanying Dave (my brother) in this challenge. Beany is Dave’s dive buddy and has completed all the training in the UK and Egypt with Dave. Beany is due to have a hip repalcement any time but this isn’t stopping him from Going the Extra Mile with the Scuba Challenge – he says he can’t run it this year so he will Scuba the Extra Mile instead.
Others taking the Scuba Challenge include Barry Littlewood, John Munslow, Annette Carghill (and her Scuba Club) and I believe Pete Pinnington is also signing up.
There are lots of Swimmers who are Swimming the Extra Mile (Karen Beaton, Maria McPartland, Jan Pritchard & Rachael Worrall) on the same day (plus Ex Mayor – Celia Jordan is Swimming the Extra Mile during her weekly exercise).
I am one of 25 runners who are Running the Extra Mile in May for the Manchester 10k.
Contact our Fundraising Team if you would like to GO THE EXTRA MILE to raise funds to make Disability Awareness Day 2011 the best – especially on our 20th Anniversary.
Jayne Horton – Chief Officer (WDP)
Well done to all taking part in the first of many ‘Go the extra mile’ challenges on Sunday – 6pm. Also good luck to all our BUPA 10k runners – sponsors still required!
If anyone would like to join me and have loads of fun in my one mile Kayak challenge contact the Fundraising Team on 01925 240064.
SAVE THE DAY! Val Caldwell
Good luck to all the team!!! The scuba divers, the swimmers, the runners, the kayakers. Anyone who is going that extra mile!!