PREPARATIONS are well under way for this year’s Disability Awareness Day (DAD).

Warrington Disability Partnership hosts the event, now in its 23rd year, at Walton Hall Gardens on Sunday, July 13 which showcases support for people across the country to stay independent.

Your Housing Group are sponsoring the day, which sees thousands turn out to the hall with more than 250 exhibitors in a tented village.

Event founder and co-ordinator Dave Thompson said: "The DAD Team were really pleased - and somewhat relieved - when we heard the news that Your Housing Group had agreed to extend their financial support for another year as our principal sponsor.

“It is very humbling to hear the interest from across the world about our event -which initially started out as a one-off celebration, but has since become the main event on the disability calendar nationally and now internationally.

“This is all thanks to a great team of staff, volunteers and supporters aptly named ‘DAD’s Army’. Overall DAD focuses on what disabled people can do - not what we can’t do - and it proves to be a great day out for everyone.”

Brian Cronin, chief executive of Your Housing Group, added: “As well as being a fantastic community event, DAD provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase the achievements and talents of people living with various disabilities.”

There will be a chance to try your hand at a range of fun activities and performances from Carly and Martin from the BBC’s ‘Autistic Superstars’ plus ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ semi-finalists The Urban Gypsies.

There is a free accessible park and ride service and free buses from Warrington Bus Interchange along with British Sign Language interpreters, trained assistants and a scooter and wheelchair loan service.

For a full running order visit disabilityawarenessday.org.uk.

WITH just over three weeks to go until the world’s largest not for profit disability exhibtion he organisers are calling on help from the Warrington community.

Warrington Disability Partnership is looking for volunteers to help steward at the event and anyone signing up will need to attend a health and safety session either on Wednesday, July 9 at 8pm or Saturday, July 12 at 2pm.

If you would like to be part of ‘DAD’s Army’, contact Donna Hubbard or Caroline Thompson on 240064 or e-mail Donna at d.hubbard@disabilitypartnership.org.uk.