OLYMPIC and Commonwealth diver Peter Waterfield will be attending the naming ceremony of a national disability charity’s new wing in Southampton this month (July).

Peter will be taking part in the ceremony for Vitalise, which provides essential breaks for disabled people and carers, at the organisation’s Netley Waterside House on Abbey Hill in Southampton on Thursday, July 12 at 10am.

The 26-year-old said: “I am happy to support charities in my local area and when I was approached by Vitalise in Southampton to attend the opening and naming of their new wing, I was more than happy to help out and show my support.”

Vitalise is a national charity providing essential services for disabled people and carers.

Colin Brook, Senior Communications Officer for Vitalise, said: “We invited Peter to attend the ceremony as he is a great personality and a local celebrity. Our Vitalise centres have a very local feel and we encourage a positive atmosphere. Staying positive and being mentally tough is something that Peter is familiar with in his role as an Olympic and Commonwealth high and springboard diver.”

The opening ceremony at Netley Waterside House in Southampton will include a tour of the centre.

The winner of the Wessex Woman of the Year for 2006, Debbie Boyes will be attending to cut the ribbon.

The new extension, which will be officially named the Wessex Wing at the event, will mean a further five guests can stay at the centre.

The charity provides short breaks for disabled people and carers at five accessible Centres, including Netley Waterside House.

It offers 24-hour on-call care, personal support and a choice of activities and excursions. Vitalise also organises holidays in the UK and overseas for visually impaired people.

Spring and highboard diver, Peter, who scooped the first British medal of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens with his then diving partner Leon Taylor, is ranked second in the world in the synchro event and fifth individually.

The diver’s success at the FINA World Championships earlier in 2007 means he has secured the British team a place in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.