AN inspirational group determined not to let their illnesses get in the way of every day life completed the annual scuba diving challenge for Warrington Disability Partnership.

Now in its seventh year, the 'Going the Extra Mile' scuba dive was set up to help raise funds for WDP and to provide opportunities for disabled people to try scuba diving.

Dave Thompson, joint founder and chief executive of WDP, is a full-time wheelchair user after sustaining a spinal cord injury while playing American football in 1989.

Dave started scuba diving in 2009, he is PADI advanced open water accredited, with 200 dives under his belt.

Dave was joined on last weekend by more than 30 able bodied and disabled divers including Dave Williams, Dave Kelsall who has stage four oesophageal cancer, John Munslow who has had spinal surgery and Mark Purslow who has Becker's Muscular Dystrophy.

The divers were led by Dave Sloan and Dave Thompson who both had three generations of their families taking part – the youngest being eight-year-old Heather-May Sloan, who completed the mile, 64 lengths and Dave Thompson’s nine-year-old granddaughter, Chloe, who completed 22 lengths.

Dave 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.”

So far the team has raised more than £2,000, and 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 has already starting planning next year’s annual scuba challenge, 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 18-metre dive in Capernwray in England and an early evening 18-metre dive in Vivian Quarry in North Wales.

If you are interested in supporting next year’s challenge, as a diver, an assistant or sponsor, contact Dave Thompson 240064.