MP dives in

The Member of Parliament for Macclesfield, David Rutley, is supporting East Cheshire Sub Aqua Club (ECSAC), which has been shortlisted for the Skipton Building Society’s Grassroots Giving Scheme.

The Skipton Building Society’s Grassroots Giving Scheme is a community funding scheme that relies on votes from local people to decide which organisations receive an additional £500 in funding. If successful, ECSAC would be able to extend their work into the community and purchase additional equipment in smaller sizes, enabling them to deliver more scuba experiences for local groups and increase the size of groups they can train at one time. ECSAC are also planning to send some scuba instructors on a course this year to deliver scuba training for people with disabilities. With additional funding, they would be able to extend this training to an additional instructor.

ECSAC is a community-based sports club, which is active in marine conservation and provides lifesaver training for its members and local community groups, including scouts, girl guides and sea scouts, at weekly pool sessions. Run entirely by volunteers, ECSAC also has an award winning snorkelling group that provides an introduction to safe enjoyment of the water for children 6 years of age and upwards. ESCAC have won a national award from the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), the Heinke Trophy, which recognises the club that has done the most to further the interests of its members. Members of the club are also currently engaged in a weight loss challenge to raise funds for the club and the RNLI.

Speaking about ECSAC Kevin Phillips, Diving Officer, said: “East Cheshire Sub Aqua club is a vibrant and growing local club and we are keen to support other local community groups and introduce them to the underwater world in an enjoyable and safe environment. If successful in achieving the most votes from local people, the additional funding would allow us to extend our work in the community, and I hope that more people will be able to lend us their support by going on the website and voting through this link: https://www.skiptongrg.co.uk/apply-for-funding/2016-shortlisted-groups/north-west/east-cheshire-sub-aqua-club/”

David Rutley said: “East Cheshire Sub Aqua Club is an active group that plans to do even more in the community. I hope that as many local residents as possible submit their vote to Skipton Building Society’s scheme to help more people benefit from the Club’s activities.”