2006 Sunday 9th July

Disability Awareness Day 2006 was another fantastic success. The cloud, wind and occasional rain didn't deter disabled people and their families who had travelled from all four corners of the UK to visit the event. On cue the Red Arrows performed a fly-past to open the event. During the day over 20,000 visitors were treated with an array of information exhibitions, from local family-run charities to large national businesses and statutory service providers, as well as a fun-packed programme in the Centre Arena, Arts Marquee, Film Festival, Sports Area and childrens entertainments. All of our 70 stewards who were ably assisted by young volunteers and members of the Air Training Cadets, T.S Obdurate Warrington Sea Cadets and Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute were sporting their Queens Award Unsung Heroes lapel badges.

All of our 70 stewards who were ably assisted by young volunteers and members of the Air Training Cadets, Sea Cadets and Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute were sporting their Queens Award Unsung Heroes lapel badges.

DAD was the final event of a week of activities which started with the Showcase of Arts which launched DAD Week. Artists included internationally-known The Heroes, supported by Phil Edwards and his talented team including Steve Kinsey and the Monte Christo Blondes. This was followed by an Access Seminar which brought together architects, builders, planners and disabled people. Over 100 young people attended the Positive Action Awareness event which will result in developing Disability Champions in local schools. Dozens of employers met with disability support organisations at our workshop aimed at developing employment opportunities for disabled people. Our Arts Marquee was transformed into the SS Paradise for the Party Cruise Show which entertained over 100 carers. Over eighty disabled young people let their hair down in our Party in the Park which included sports, arts, and music.

One of the highlights of the week was the Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing which attracted over 100 people with activities including stress workshops, complimentary therapies, art, music and sport.This was followed by The Festival of Life which attracted over 100 people with learning disabilities to an interactive evening of craft, chill-out, sport and worship.

The social event of the week attracted over 200 guests to the Mega Quiz Night and Barbeque which raised over £5000 towards the restoration of WDP's Wizard Narrowboat. On Saturday whilst the DAD team were preparing the events site for Sunday's big day, crowds were entertained and encouraged to participate in an extravaganza of wheelchair sports which was held in Warrington Town centre.

Disability Awareness Day won the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service! Dave Thompson, Event Co-Ordinator of DAD says:

"This prestigious award is in recognition to the hundreds of people, past and present, who have volunteered their support in making a vision into a reality"

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