Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP) is a user led charity, established over 26 years ago. Today WDP has a team of nearly 50 staff and over 200 volunteers, over 85% of the team are disabled people. Together they have designed and deliver 27 mobility and independent living services from their facilities in Warrington, Liverpool and North Wales, in addition, 2 of their projects impact on the lives of disabled people around the world.    

Dave Thompson, joint founder and current Chief Executive is a fulltime 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 nearly 200 dives. He has had articles published on the benefits of diving for disabled people and he is a regular speaker at exhibitions and universities.

Dave launched the Going the Extra Mile Scuba Challenge 6 years ago to help raise funds for WDP and to provide the opportunity for other disabled people to try the sport of scuba diving. 

This year Dave will be joined by friends and colleagues including his dive buddy Dave Williams, and a number of disabled divers including Tom Coleridge who was shot and injured whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2010 which left him paralysed from the waist down and now a fulltime wheelchair user, together with Dave Kelsall, who is living with stage 4 Cancer of the Oesophagus and John Munslow who has had spinal surgery.

Lillian Smith who has Spina Bifida and Mark Purslow who has Becker's Muscular Dystrophy and is a fulltime wheelchair user, will be joining a team of disabled and able bodied Try Divers.

The Scuba Challenge will be held on Saturday 21st October at Woolston Leisure Centre, Warrington from 4pm. Other qualified divers will also be taking part in the Challenge including Dave Sloan and his family.

Derek Howden and his team from Cheshire Scuba Academy will be providing kit, instructors, underwater and poolside support.   

Livewire Warrington will be providing the pool and facilities.

If you want to join us, please contact Kate or Dave on 01925 240064 or email davethompson@disabilitypartnership.org.uk  

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