Contact: Jaine Barry, 020 7696 5603, jaine.barry@mencap.org.uk
Put the frighteners on and take part in a Halloween dive for charity
If you fancy taking the plunge for leading national learning disability charity, Mencap, then the charity's fancy dress Halloween dive could be just for you!
A team of divers from the charity are taking part in a fundraising dive at top diving site Gildenburgh Water in Whittlesey, Peterborough, on Sunday 28 October 2007. Divers from across the region are encouraged to come along and take part in the day's diving activities, which will include a treasure hunt and try dives for beginners for a great day out.
There will be a prize for the winning team, best outfit and top fundraiser. You can bring friends and family to cheer you on for a great day out. Divers will be required to dive in pairs and be certified with a recognised dive agency. You can contact PADI to find out how to access your nearest PADI dive centre by visiting PADI. The Way The World Learns to Dive.
Divers will be asked to raise a minimum of £50 sponsorship. Money raised will help Mencap support children and adults with a learning disability, their families and carers.
So go on become an underwater supporter and visit www.mencap.org.uk/dive or call 020 7696 5566. Mencap Dive Challenge is supported by PADI.
Gildenburgh Water is the First UK Centre of Excellence for diving. Its facilities have been recognised by PADI as a 5 Star Career Development Centre (the highest rating achievable.
The lake has been a developing sanctuary for fish and lush plant life since 1945 when the former brickworks closed down. With varying depths from 1m to 22m, it is considered by many divers to be one of the best places to dive in the U.K.
Deborah Hamilton Lewin, director of communications and marketing for Mencap, who's leading the charity's dive team, says: "This is a great opportunity for a group of like-minded people to get together for a day's diving whilst raising money for a good cause. All money raised on the day will go towards Mencap's work with people with a learning disability, enabling them to take part in many of the leisure activities that other people take for granted."
Notes to Editors
• To arrange an interview contact: jainebarry@mencap.org.uk or 0207 696 5603
• To become an underwater supporter visit www.mencap.org.uk/dive or call 020 7696 5566. Mencap Dive Challenge is supported by PADI.
• At Mencap, we have a dedicated support team to help you with any questions you may have. Just call 020 7696 5566 or email events@mencap.org.uk
• Mencap is celebrating its sixtieth year in 2006/07. It is now the UK's biggest learning disability charity. National and local events are taking place throughout the year. See www.mencap.org.uk/mencap60
• Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
• 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.
• Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life.
• It is not mental illness. It is not dyslexia.
• It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.
• People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. That's why we fight to change laws and services, and directly support thousands of people to live their lives the way they want.
• For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111 or visit www.askmencap.info
• For online press information, go to www.mencap.org.uk/press
Put the frighteners on and take part in a Halloween dive for charity
If you fancy taking the plunge for leading national learning disability charity, Mencap, then the charity's fancy dress Halloween dive could be just for you!
A team of divers from the charity are taking part in a fundraising dive at top diving site Gildenburgh Water in Whittlesey, Peterborough, on Sunday 28 October 2007. Divers from across the region are encouraged to come along and take part in the day's diving activities, which will include a treasure hunt and try dives for beginners for a great day out.
There will be a prize for the winning team, best outfit and top fundraiser. You can bring friends and family to cheer you on for a great day out. Divers will be required to dive in pairs and be certified with a recognised dive agency. You can contact PADI to find out how to access your nearest PADI dive centre by visiting PADI. The Way The World Learns to Dive.
Divers will be asked to raise a minimum of £50 sponsorship. Money raised will help Mencap support children and adults with a learning disability, their families and carers.
So go on become an underwater supporter and visit www.mencap.org.uk/dive or call 020 7696 5566. Mencap Dive Challenge is supported by PADI.
Gildenburgh Water is the First UK Centre of Excellence for diving. Its facilities have been recognised by PADI as a 5 Star Career Development Centre (the highest rating achievable.
The lake has been a developing sanctuary for fish and lush plant life since 1945 when the former brickworks closed down. With varying depths from 1m to 22m, it is considered by many divers to be one of the best places to dive in the U.K.
Deborah Hamilton Lewin, director of communications and marketing for Mencap, who's leading the charity's dive team, says: "This is a great opportunity for a group of like-minded people to get together for a day's diving whilst raising money for a good cause. All money raised on the day will go towards Mencap's work with people with a learning disability, enabling them to take part in many of the leisure activities that other people take for granted."
Notes to Editors
• To arrange an interview contact: jainebarry@mencap.org.uk or 0207 696 5603
• To become an underwater supporter visit www.mencap.org.uk/dive or call 020 7696 5566. Mencap Dive Challenge is supported by PADI.
• At Mencap, we have a dedicated support team to help you with any questions you may have. Just call 020 7696 5566 or email events@mencap.org.uk
• Mencap is celebrating its sixtieth year in 2006/07. It is now the UK's biggest learning disability charity. National and local events are taking place throughout the year. See www.mencap.org.uk/mencap60
• Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
• 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.
• Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life.
• It is not mental illness. It is not dyslexia.
• It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.
• People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. That's why we fight to change laws and services, and directly support thousands of people to live their lives the way they want.
• For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111 or visit www.askmencap.info
• For online press information, go to www.mencap.org.uk/press