A POOLE company has celebrated its 25th anniversary by giving back to the community and lending a hand to help wounded ex-servicemen.

Dolphin Mobility, which offers a range of stair lifts, hoists and ramps, loaned an i-swim pool lift to Bournemouth Collegiate School, so that they could host a STA Level 2 Award in Aquatic Teaching – People with Disabilities course.

James Daly, a Royal Marines veteran, and Tobias Gutteridge, a serviceman who suffered a spinal cord injury during operational duties, organised and took part in the course.

James says that it could not have happened without the use of the lift as volunteers from the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association (BLESMA) were due to take part.

He said: “We needed to get the volunteers, who are ex-servicemen and women with a physical disability, in and out of the pool safely.

“Without the generosity of Craig Dunnage and the team at Dolphin Mobility, the course could not have taken place.

“The i-swim pool lift is extremely user friendly and the feedback we have received from instructors operating the lift, and the people being lifted, has been extremely positive.

“We are very grateful to Dolphin Mobility for all their help and support.”

Craig, who is director of Dolphin Mobility, said: “When I received the call from James, I knew that we had to do something to assist these brave and inspirational people with their training.

“At Dolphin, we believe that swimming should be open to everyone regardless of their disability and without specially trained instructors this would not be the case.”

BLESMA is a national charity which aims to empower and promote the welfare and wellbeing of all serving and ex-service men and women who may have rehabilitation requirements following the loss of limbs.

The charity also works to support the partners and dependents of ex-service personnel.