Have You Picked Up Your 25th Anniversary Legacy Appeal Collection Box?

Our Legacy Appeal collection boxes are now available for supporters to pick up from our outreach services.

These include the Disability Information Point at the rear of Warrington Market; Mobility & Independent Living Store in Golden Square Shopping Centre; Shopmobility Service, located in Legh Street car park; and the Centre for Independent Living, located off Evelyn Street.

Supporters are asked to use the boxes to collect small change, which can be used towards our £25 supporters' package. Everyone who takes part and hits the £25 target will be invited to a WDP 25th Anniversary Supporters' Event that is planned for 7pm on Saturday, 9 July at Walton Hall and Gardens.

Janis Williams said: "More than 100 collection boxes have been taken by people who want to support our Legacy Appeal that aims to provide jobs for young disabled people.

'We expect hundreds more will be taken by children and young people who attend one of the inspirational talks given by our Disability Information Officer, Tom Coleridge, when he starts to visit schools and youth groups across Warrington."

Tom was left paralysed after being shot whilst on tour with the Army in Afghanistan in July 2010. He is set to visit a number of schools and youth groups, including Scouts and Guides, to raise awareness of WDP services and to deliver a very important message about positive thinking; namely ‘it’s not what disabled people can’t do that’s important, it’s about what they can do’.

Tom will be demonstrating some of that positive thinking along with 10-year-old Josh Morris, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and our founder and Chief Executive Dave Thompson MBE DL, who has tetraplegia, at this year's 'Going the Extra Mile' sponsored swim. Together, the three full-time wheelchair users will be completing the 64-length challenge as a relay team on Saturday, 12 March at LiveWire's Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub.

There are a few places left if you want to join the lads; please contact Janis on 01925 240064 or donate online at www.justgiving.com/wdpswim16/

Guinness World Records have accepted two WDP applications for record-breaking attempts to be staged during our 25th anniversary year. More than 200 mobility scooter users are being recruited to the attempt to break the Mobility Scooter Rally world record on Saturday, 4 June. Starting at 6.30pm, a procession of mobility scooters will travel in convoy around Golden Square Shopping Centre. Everyone involved will receive a certificate and sticker commemorating their valued participation. If you are interested in joining in, please leave your name and contact details at any of our services.

The second world record attempt - the world’s biggest tombola - will be held on Saturday, 1 October in the Old Market Place in the Golden Square Shopping Centre. More than 6,500 prizes will be required for the event. If you would like to donate a prize, please drop them off at any of our services. They must be new and - as a guide - cost a minimum of £1. Armadillo Storage on Manchester Road have kindly provided a free storage unit to hold the prizes.

A third world record attempt is currently being planned and will be held at this year’s Disability Awareness Day on Sunday, 10 July at Walton Hall and Gardens. More news about this one very soon.

Anyone can raise funds for our 2016 Legacy Fund. If you, your family or your friends and colleagues are doing something that little bit different, please let us know and we can celebrate your contribution in a future Legacy Appeal news round-up.

Published: 07/03/2016