Disability Assist

It is not really "Us" but me and my campaigns but I ask for and receive support from a variety of expert sources when needed for which I am eternally grateful and will acknowlege that assistance if permitted to do so .

Personal background

I am a very fit, 82 years young and who found an unexploded bomb when 11 years old and lost both legs and part of my left arm.

I lead a very active and interesting life with a wonderful family - Marilyn to whom I have been married for over 59 years - daughters Suzanne and Natalie, grandsons Michael Harry and Jack plus my lovely granddaughter Grace Lily.

As Chair for 26 years of the British Motorsport Association for the Disabled I personally challenged and instigated legal action against the Motor Sport Association and the FIA under the Treaty of Rome for discrimination and changed the race licencing system for disabled drivers in motorsport at both National and International level.

I personally carried out over 300 assessments of UK disabled drivers on behalf of the Motorsport Association’s Medical Panel to allow motorsport licences to be issued.

I am proud to be the only disabled driver worldwide to have qualified for both an International Race and an International Rally Licence. I have competed in over 600 motorsport events, including 125 races plus British and World Championship rallies.

The Sam Gallop Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the late 80's David led a campaign against the motor insurance industry's discrimination of disabled drivers. David's premiums were increased by 25% per limb lost on every insurance company quote.

Together with Sir Peter Woods’s Privilege Insurance Company we developed and launched the unique “Mobility Master” policy specifically for disabled drivers with premiums, not based upon the extent their disability, but purely on that person’s driving record. At last - Exactly the same as for any able bodied driver!

With national publicity, this provoked a sea change with the rest of the motor insurance industry rapidly rewriting their policies to benefit millions of drivers with any kind of disability.

During my 6-year tenure as Chair of the Premier League Disability Advisory Group I successfully challenged clubs to alter stadiums to meet the accessibility guidelines for disabled supporters.

In that role, and at the request of the Equality Commission, I assessed the agreed compliance of Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium.

Currently as the Chair for 11 years of the Watford Football Club Disabled Enables Group I have worked with the Directors to ensure my club meets ALL the accessible guideline requirements.

I felt greatly honoured to have been awarded an MBE for services to Disability Sport in the 2010 New Years Honours List and to have had it presented by the Queen.