News
Deptherapy’s Richard Cullen shortlisted for prestigious charity award
Dr Richard Cullen, Chairman, Lifetime Vice President and one of the founders of Scuba Diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy & Deptherapy Education, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2018 Heropreneurs Awards.
The Heropreneurs Awards is a new initiative from the Heropreneurs charity, which helps ex-Armed Forces personnel and their dependants to create their own businesses and become entrepreneurs. The Heropreneurs Awards are run in association with The Telegraph and the Warwick Business School, and with support from the Ministry of Defence.
Richard is one of three finalists in The Veterans’ Foundation Award category. The Veterans’ Foundation charity raises funds for military-related charities and other organisations that help veterans in need. This Heropreneurs Award category seeks to recognise an individual civilian, or a business, that has given outstanding help to veterans.
Richard was nominated for the Award by the Veterans’ Foundation, who earlier this year presented Deptherapy with a grant of £10,000. Success for Richard in the Heropreneurs Awards would result in a further £10,000 to be used towards Deptherapy’s continuing work.
The finalists and winners of the Heropreneurs Awards are judged by a panel led by General Sir John McColl KCB CBE DSO, and includes key figures from the business world and the Military.
Since founding Deptherapy in 2014, Richard, a former Director of Training and Development for the Metropolitan Police Service, has become a “Father Figure” to the charity’s Programme Members, offering 24/7 support to many vulnerable adults and their families.
President of Deptherapy, Air Vice Marshall Dr Jon Lamonte, had this to say about Richard:
“You meet very few people in life who so many talk about as having changed their lives. For people who have made so many sacrifices for their country to talk of Richard as instructor, counsellor, mentor and friend, at times and in dark places that not even their families can reach, speaks volumes for the man.”
Ever self-effacing, Richard said:
“Working with the Deptherapy Programme Members is a privilege, and it is absolutely humbling. We know our work has saved lives, and we have also changed so many lives for the better. The impact on Programme Member’s partners and families is massive. I am stunned to be nominated for this Award but it is not about me, it is about the Deptherapy Team. Isaac Newton reflects my views on this: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Those giants are the Deptherapy Team and Programme Members that we work with.”
The 2018 Heropreneurs Award Winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony on 14th November in London.
Do you know… it costs £1500 to fund a wounded in service veteran on a PADI Open Water course on the Deptherapy Programme. Deptherapy’s life changing work can only continue if they raise enough funds. The charity receives at least two applications every week from British Armed Forces veterans who would benefit from their Programme. Please help Deptherapy continue to make a difference to their lives. Pledge your support and find out more about Deptherapy & Deptherapy Education at www.deptherapy.co.uk.
Blogs
Discover Curaçao with the Ultimate Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition
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News
Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
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