A FORMER police officer who swam with sharks on the Great Barrier Reef has been sharing his underwater wisdom with Barnsley care home staff preparing to take the plunge for charity.
A team of four volunteers from Deangate in Mapplewell, Barnsley, will dive into the shark tank at Sea Life Blackpool on July 23 for the care home’s residents’ fund.
Ahead of the dive, resident Mike Henwood, 81, offered advice drawn from his own experience swimming with sharks in Australia during a family holiday in his younger years.
Mike, a former police officer of more than two decades, has lived at Deangate since May.
He said: “If you’re swimming underneath, nice and quietly, like I was, you’re fine. But if you’re thrashing about on the surface, the shark might think someone’s in panic. I didn’t realise I could scream underwater until I nearly ran into one.”
Mike’s story came to light during preparations for the fundraiser, when activities coordinator Rachael Addy discovered his adventurous past.
Rachael, who is leading the shark dive team at Deangate Care Home, said: “Mike’s advice has been brilliant.
“He’s lived such an adventurous life and it’s inspiring to hear his stories. It’s exactly what we want to show, that life doesn’t stop when you move into a care home. It can be the start of something amazing.”
Rachael will be joined in the tank by senior carer Lisa Naylor, cook Cheryl Pinner, and carer Troy Hunte. The team has set a fundraising target of £500.