News
Scuba charity Deptherapy honours Members and Supporters with Awards at DIVE 2017

Scuba Diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy honoured its Programme Members, Supporters and Corporate Sponsors in an Awards Ceremony on Saturday 21st October during the DIVE 2017 show weekend.
The Deptherapy Awards Ceremony, the first of its kind for the charity, took place in conjunction with the Pharoah Dive Club 10th Anniversary Bash at the Village Hotel, Solihull. The evening event, which was attended by over 200 ticket holders and organised by Steve and Clare Rattle, was a celebration of ten successful years of Pharoah Dive Club and Roots Red Sea. The Anniversary Bash was also recognition of the special partnership that exists between Deptherapy and the Egyptian dive resort, which hosts the majority of the charity’s overseas training programmes.
Deptherapy Ambassador, Board Member, PADI AmbassaDiver and Scubaverse Contributor Gary Green hosted the Awards. Gary started the proceedings with a moving presentation about his time in the British Army, his medical discharge and subsequent battle with PTSD, and how his discovery of scuba diving through Deptherapy had literally saved his life. Eloquently describing both his personal journey and the transformative power of scuba diving, Gary was given a standing ovation at the end of his presentation.

Air Vice Marshall Paul Colley and Deptherapy Ambassador Gary Green with Supporter of the Year Sam Egan. Photo: Sarah Waddington
Fourteen Awards, each individually sponsored and beautifully etched onto Welsh slate, were presented during the evening. The winner of each Award had been selected from a nominated shortlist by a Judging Panel that comprised Deptherapy’s President Air Vice-Marshall Jon Lamonte, Chair Richard Cullen and Vice Chair Daimon Haywood, Alice Farrow from Cobseo (The Confederation of British Service Charities) and Stuart Croxford, Consultant to the Royal Foundation’s Endeavour Fund.
As the Awards were presented, the winner’s inspirational stories were shared. One of the most emotional presentations was The Endeavour Award, which was given to the individual Programme Member who in the Judges’ opinion “best encapsulated the Royal Foundation’s Endeavour Fund criteria of Ambition, Adventure and Achievement and who has best utilised their endeavours to promote and catalyse their recovery.”
The Endeavour Award was given to former Infantryman in the Mercian Regiment, Steve Atkin, who has conquered both serious physical and mental injuries, including acute PTSD that rendered him unable to leave his home for several years.
Steve Atkin encapsulates the spirit of Deptherapy. Steve credits the charity with “giving me back my direction in life, rebuilding my shattered confidence and broken soul, as well as returning a Father and Husband to my family.”
Now a Deptherapy Ambassador and PADI AOW, Deep and Wreck Diver, Steve actively supports other Programme Members in their recovery.

Major General Paul Nanson CBE, Air Vice Marshall Paul Colley and Perry Booth of Sarah Waddington Solicitors Ltd with Endeavour Award winner Steve Atkin and wife Stephanie. Photo: Sarah Waddington
Steve’s Atkin’s Award, as with all the Awards of the evening, were presented by special guests Major General Paul Nanson CBE, Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, who was accompanied by his ADC Major Tony Bryant, and Air Vice Marshall and renowned Underwater Photographer Paul Colley.
The full list of Deptherapy Award Winners is as follows:
- Overcoming Adversity – Winner: Ben Lee
Sponsored by: Matt and Charlotte Davey - Outstanding Fundraiser – Winner: Danny Martin
Sponsored by: Bookings Made Easy SL - Achiever of the Year – Winner: Andy Searle
Sponsored by: Sam and Rowan Egan - Outstanding Ambassador – Winner: Gary Green
Sponsored by: Dive Worldwide - Outstanding Contribution – Winner: Chris Middleton
Sponsored by: Here 4 Life.co.uk - Best Corporate Sponsor – Winners: Divecrew, Roots Red Sea and PADI EMEA
- Supporter of the Year – Winner: Sam Egan
Sponsored by: Denise Himsworth - Special Award for Personal Commitment – Winner: Aquatic Element’s Ride to Remember Cycling Team
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Winner: Dorothy ‘Dot’ Eaton
Sponsored by: JPN Ltd - Peoples’ Choice Award (as voted on social media) – Winner: Ben Lee
Sponsored by: Swiss Watch Exchange Ltd - The Endeavour Award – Winner: Steve Atkin
Sponsored by: Sarah Waddington Solicitors Ltd - The Judges’ Award and Contribution to the Development of Deptherapy presented to Richard Cullen
Sponsored by: Decotta Law

Deptherapy Chair and Founder Richard Cullen with Clare and Steve Rattle, organisers of the event and winners of one of the three Corporate Sponsor Awards. Photo: Sarah Waddington
The Pharoah Dive Club 10th Anniversary Bash and Deptherapy Awards raised over £6,000 for the charity. Additional donations over the course of the DIVE 2017 weekend raised an extra £2,000 in much-needed funds.
Deptherapy would like to thank all their Supporters, Corporate Sponsors, Programme Members, Nominees and Winners, including all those individuals on the Deptherapy Board and in the wider Deptherapy Family for a tremendously successful event and their continued support.
For more information about the work of Deptherapy and Deptherapy Education visit their new website at www.deptherapy.co.uk.
News
The ‘Big Scuba Day Out’ – The Ultimate Day for Water Lovers!

Get ready for an unforgettable day of adventure, exploration, and all things scuba and watersports! Oyster Diving’s Big Scuba Day Out is taking place on Sunday, 4th May 2025, at Mercers Park, near London —and best of all, entry is completely FREE!
Whether you’re a seasoned diver, a total beginner, or just looking for a fun day out by the water, this event has something for everyone — including lovely walks around the lake with your four-legged friends!
Come and experience the latest dive gear from some of the world’s leading brands, including Santi, Suex, Apeks, Aqualung, Garmin, GoPro and XDeep. Get hands-on with dive scooters, cutting-edge dive computers, and high-performance gear designed to take your underwater adventures to the next level.
Take part in fun dives with expert guides try out other exclusive demo kit. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills, try out new equipment, or simply enjoy the stunning underwater world of Mercers Park, this is the perfect opportunity.
A special raffle in aid of the Shark Trust will include prizes such as PADI branded goodies, Apeks 30m reel and wet notes, and Shearwater Peregrine TX worth £689!
As a special highlight for those wanting to “live the dream”, Course Director Mark Taylor and PADI Regional Manager Emma Samuelsson will be giving an exclusive talk at 12:00 PM about how to become a PADI Pro, including Divemaster and Instructor pathways. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion for diving into a career, this is the perfect chance to get insider knowledge from one of the best in the industry.
Not just for divers, the Big Scuba Day Out also offers a variety of watersports courtesy of www.aquasports.co.uk. Try your hand at kayaking, paddleboarding, or other exciting water activities.
After all the action, relax on the beautiful lake terrace, where you can enjoy a selection of delicious food and licensed bar while soaking in the breathtaking views.
Don’t miss this incredible day of diving, watersports, and fun for the whole family. For full details and to register your interest, visit Oyster Diving’s website. https://oysterdiving.com/diving-club/uk-diving-trips/the-big-scuba-day-out-4th-may/.
News
Experience a night Dive at the West Rock Shipwreck with Euro-Divers

There’s something magical about night diving— the ocean transforms into a whole new world, alive with mystery and wonder. At Euro-Divers Meeru, we love sharing this unique experience with our guests, and the West Rock Shipwreck is one of our favourite sites for night diving.
Here’s why:
Setting the Scene
The adventure begins at 17:30 as divers gather on the boat. After thoroughly checking our equipment, the boat departs for the dive site. The 15-minute journey is a treat, with the calm sea and the soft glow of the setting sun creating the perfect atmosphere.
Arriving at West Rock, the boat gently moors above the wreck. As our team briefs you on the dive, we will walk you through the special night diving techniques, such as using a torch and maintaining buddy contact, ensuring you feel confident and prepared. While we wait for the sun to set, there is time to relax with a cup of tea or coffee and take in the breathtaking colours of the Maldivian sunset.
The Dive Begins
Once darkness settles, it’s time to dive. The West Rock Shipwreck—a small cargo freighter sunk in 1999—rests at 20 meters on a sandy plateau. Over the years, it has become a vibrant reef, teeming with marine life.
As we descend, the beams of our torches cut through the dark water, revealing the wreck’s coral-covered surfaces. It is always thrilling to see the wreck come to life under the light. Colourful nudibranchs, scorpionfish, frogfish, and shrimps are just a few of the creatures that call this wreck home.
We often find parrotfish and pufferfish inside the wreck settled in for the night, while lionfish and moray eels lurk in the shadows. We frequently spot larger residents, too—Napoleon wrasse or even a resting nurse shark, peacefully tucked away beneath the ship’s hull. Every corner of the wreck offers something new to discover.
Underwater Galaxy
As the dive comes to an end, we have one final highlight to share. During the safety stop at 5 metres, we may ask you to switch off your torch and gently move your hands through the water. This action stirs up bioluminescent plankton, lighting up like tiny stars surrounding you— a magical, otherworldly experience that never fails to amaze.
Post-Dive Bliss
Emerging from the dive, we are welcomed by the cool night air and a canopy of stars. The boat crew helps us as we climb aboard, where hot tea or coffee awaits to warm us up. The journey back to shore is filled with shared stories and a sense of camaraderie that only diving together can create.
Night dives like this one at the West Rock Shipwreck offer more than just an exploration of marine life; they remind us of the beauty and mystery of the underwater world.
For more information, contact the Euro-Divers Meeru team at meeru@euro-divers.com or visit www.euro-divers.com.
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