Thousands expected at major disability event

An event believed to be one of the world's biggest dedicated to people with disabilities is taking place.

The Disability Awareness Day in Warrington runs from 10:00 BST to 16:00 in Walton Hall Gardens, with more than 200 exhibits and 220 organisations taking part.

It was founded as a "one-off" by David Thompson and two friends from a support group in 1992.

A total of about 600,000 are said to have attended all the events since, with about 20,000 attending last year.

"I'm so humbled by the way it has grown over the years," said Mr Thompson, who set up Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP) after breaking his back playing American football in 1989.

Mr Thompson, who earlier this year was made an honorary freeman of Warrington, said: "We are pretty certain there is nothing bigger in the UK and we are pretty sure it is the biggest in the world."

The event now has spin-off gatherings in Gibraltar and Cameroon.

The event is now staffed by a team of 30 volunteers who spend a week preparing the venue.

"We wanted to show people what information and support was available as a one-off event, and we're still here after 32 years," said Mr Thompson.

The day also offers activities including scuba diving to silent disco.

Mr Thompson said the event epitomised WDP's ethos of "it’s what we can do, not what we can’t do, that matters".

A deputy lieutenant of Cheshire, Mr Thompson was made an MBE for services to disabled people in 2001.

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