Disabled actor from EastEnders sails into new role

From Cambs Times in the UK:

Former EastEnders actor David Proud, from Whittlesey, will take to the seas next Friday as part of BBC series Inside Out.

David, 27, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, will board the tall ship Tenacious where he and his friend, Jason Cook, will be filming a personal diary of their week-long sea adventure which sails from London’s West India Dock.

Until recently, David played the role of Adam Best in EastEnders, and was the first adult actor with a visible disability to star on the soap.

This is his second opportunity to sail with the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST), which has the only two tall ships in the world that have been specially designed to enable a crew of mixed abilities to participate in the sailing experience.

“Sailing with the JST is a trip of a lifetime”, David said: “It’s hugely important that as many disabled people as possible know about the adventures the JST offers.

“All of the staff at the JST work incredibly hard to make each trip an unforgettable experience.

“I am delighted to be joining them again and cannot wait to get on board.”

David will join a unique crew of mixed abilities and ages, all of whom will have the opportunity to steer the ship, pull on ropes, and rise 125ft above the waves from a platform on a mast, as the Tenacious visits an overseas port and returns to Southampton on Friday October 15.

He also hopes this trip will raise awareness for Peterborough based charity Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH), which he recently became patron of.

ASBAH is Europe’s largest organisation dedication to supporting individuals and families as they face challenges arising from spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

The first time David sailed with the JST was eight years ago as part of holiday programme Wish You Were Here.