Dr Richard Cullen. Photo – Stuart Green for Deptherapy

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.”

Dr Richard Cullen with Programme Member and Deptherapy Ambassador Ben Lee in Egypt. Photo – Dmitry Knyazev for Deptherapy

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 14^th 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.