A scuba diver from Symonds Yat, who survived a devastating brain injury, will lead a 24-hour underwater scubathon with a friend who has overcome the same obstacle, to raise funds for a charity very close to their hearts.

Members of Cheltenham SAC, which is part of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), will work as a relay team to spend a full day underwater, led by divers James Neal and Neal Breeden.

James Neal, 47, a BSAC Advanced Diver and Open Water Instructor from Symonds Yat suffered a devastating subarachnoid haemorrhage following the rupture of an undiagnosed aneurysm, which led to a grade four bleed on the brain.

Neal, 48, Cheltenham Sub-Aqua Club’s (SAC) secretary and a BSAC Dive Leader, also survived a brain injury after suffering a major stroke nearly ten years ago in 2008, which left him needing to use a wheelchair.

The pair are organising the scubathon in aid of UK brain injury charity, Headway, which supported James during his initial recovery. They hope to raise in excess of £2,500.

The dive will begin on Saturday, September 16th and finish at midday on Sunday, September 17th, at the National Diving and Activity Centre in Chepstow.

James said: “We are both dedicated scuba divers and just love being in the water. It helps Neal as he isn’t disabled in the same way in water as he is out of it. We thoroughly enjoy diving together and get in the water as often as we can.”

He said: “I was able to return to some level of fitness and get back in the water but I had a great deal of support from my scuba diving friends. Without Cheltenham Sub Aqua Club my life would have become very lonely. I owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.

“I suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage and whilst I might appear completely recovered on the outside, you can’t and don’t see what I have to deal with, or understand the problems I face, on a daily basis.

“It’s odd because Neal is viewed as disabled due to the fact he uses a wheelchair the majority of the time and when he isn’t, it’s obvious he has a disability. He hates being classed as disabled though. Yet no one sees me as disabled because it isn’t obvious, but I face numerous difficulties on a daily basis. I’ve become a master at hiding them.

“I’m learning to manage my condition but it’s still difficult and I have suffered some horrendous discrimination as a result of people not understanding my disability. But Cheltenham Sub Aqua Club has remained a constant in my post injury life. I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

To sponsor Cheltenham Sub Aqua Club visit: mydonate.bt.com/teams/csac24

For further information about Headway Gloucestershire, please visit the website:www.headwaygloucestershire.org.uk

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