Beauty queen’s help for amputee diver

Craig Wood (25), of Doncaster, has been backed by former Miss Scuba International winner Jaime-Lee Faulkner, from Treeton.

Jaime-Lee (26), who is to set to compete for the Miss Universe Great Britain title later this month, organised a raffle to buy a vital piece of equipment to help Craig take part in diving therapy.

He has been given a place with charity Deptherapy, which offers specially adapted scuba diving programmes for seriously injured UK armed service personnel, a cause that Jaime-Lee was introduced to during her reign as Miss Scuba International.

Jaime-Lee said: “Eighteen months ago, through Miss Scuba, I got introduced to Deptherapy and have continued to help raise funds and awareness to this great charity.

“It was brought to my attention a few weeks ago that Craig, also from South Yorkshire and a similar age to me, had been given a place on the Deptherapy programme.

“I contacted Richard Cullen, who runs the charity, and asked if there was anything that Craig had not got for the trip.

“Richard told me that the only thing he had not got was a dive computer.

“I decided I would like to personally help and get him one. As a diver, I know what a life-saving piece of equipment this is.”

Jaime-Lee — who runs the Faulkners Beauty Salon on Brinsworth Road, Brinsworth — presented Craig with his depth computer.

Richard Cullen, chairman and life vice president of Deptherapy, said: “Craig Wood was in The Rifles and an IED explosion in Afghanistan resulted in the amputation of both his legs above the knee and his left hand.

“Craig is an amazing young man who is a keen sailor at Paralympic level.

“Craig is coming on the Deptherapy programme to qualify as a PADI open water diver.