Carluke man aims to smash world records in Stirling Highland Games

David Dent MBE will be one of the first wheelchair users to compete in the event.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 8th Jun 2022

A Carluke man will become one of the first wheelchair users to take part in the Stirling Highland Games this summer.

David Dent MBE was injured while serving in the army and will compete in various heavyweights activities at the event in August.

He told Clyde 1: "We will be Putting the Shot, Tossing the Caber, Throwing the Hammer and Throwing the Weight For Distance.

"There is going to be a big audience there too as the organisers want between 3000-5000 people to come along and watch us.

"I think it gives other clubs food for thought and it is a showcase for other Highland Games organisers because it will help them to consider becoming more inclusive."

The soldier turned university lecturer will be 1 of 6 wounded veterans to take part in the games.

He also received an MBE in the New Year Honours List and is in Windsor today to collect his award.

David added: "Society still has a long way to go in terms of becoming more accessible for the disabled community.

"A lot of people will feel sorry for us or think we are not capable of certain things and the more we dispel those rumours the better.

"All I need is access to an infrastructure to allow me to be able to do things.

"A lot of us feel it is not what is wrong with us which makes us disabled it is the world around us that makes us disabled.

"I may use a wheelchair, but if I don't have steps to get up and there is a ramp which allows me to go around then I don't need somebody else's help.

"I am independent as well as productive and just by some changes in our environment then I feel we can transform some attitudes about what this community can achieve."

Hear all the latest news from across Glasgow and the West on the hour, every hour, at Clyde 1. Listen on FM, via our Radio Clyde app, on your DAB radio, online at Clyde1.com, or say ‘Play Clyde 1’ on your Smart Speaker.