RGK Wheelchairs’ product specialist recognised with an MBE for his services to charity
Shaun Gash MBE, International Product Specialist at RGK Wheelchairs, was recently honoured to receive his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from HRH Princess Anne, in recognition of his services to charity and disabled people.
Father-of-three Shaun Gash, 54, Shaun said he was “honoured” to have received his MBE by HRH Princess Anne in recognition of Services to Charity and Disabled People.
Shaun commented: “I never thought my journey and challenges would inspire snd raise so much for numerous charities….. for everyone who has been with me I couldn’t have achieved this without you as well!”
Shaun had days to live when paralysed chest down with a T5 spinal cord injury after a crash 35 years ago, but fought to live and he has become known since then for his ceaseless fundraising and pushing boundaries.
After discovering no-one disabled had ever completed Egypt’s notorious Blue Hole dive, Shaun recruited close friend Mohammed Salim Patel, 31, who is visually-impaired, to join him for his latest challenge in aid of Leukaemia UK in October 2025.
After plunging 30 metres down at a spot called the Bells and 350 metres across to the Blue Hole gap in the reef, the two made history as the first ‘classified’ – disabled – divers to complete it, guided by instructor Curly.
Known as the Diver’s Cemetery, the site is known as the most dangerous dive location on the planet and is respected and feared even by the most experienced professionals.
Shaun used an RGK Octane Sub 4 wheelchair on his journey in Egypt. RGK Wheelchairs is a UK manufacturer of bespoke sports wheelchairs, which is part of the wider company, Sunrise Medical.
A spokesperson for Sunrise Medical said: “Shaun’s ongoing commitment to improving people’s lives aligns with our mission and reflects the core values we stand for at Sunrise Medical.
“We are proud to see him represent RGK on and off the field, as an example of how, with resilience, passion, and the appropriate support, it is possible to break barriers and live without limits.”
Shaun’s other achievements include summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in 2016 and leading a team of paraplegic adventurers on a 300-kilometre canoe expedition along the Zambezi River in 2023.
Meanwhile the dive was filmed for a forthcoming documentary by Centre Line Films, led by creative director Jim Cooke.
Shaun has already planned a 2026 challenge to be the first to sea kayak the Komodo Islands for charity and, in 2027 he will be helping to launch the first adaptive retreat to Dahab in Egypt, with activities such as diving, snorkelling and yoga.
In recent news, RGK Wheelchairs announced its new partnership with England Athletics.
