The March 2021 ski week has been postponed to March 2022.

In March 2022, with Supporting Wounded Veterans, I will be helping 26 medically discharged veterans during a ski week in Switzerland. With the help of specialist adaptive ski instructors, medics and support teams this will be the start of their rehabilitation back into employment.

This is a tremendous charity that makes a real difference to the veterans' lives, giving back to the people who have served for our country. This ski week is only made possible through fundraising. As a 'buddy' to the veterans, as well as being a companion and friend during the week, part of my role is to raise funds to contribute towards this ski week.

Donations to this worthwhile cause would be very much appreciated - if you feel you can help, please donate. Thank you.

All the best, Raleigh

More Info:

SWV (Supporting Wounded Veterans) is a UK-based charity that helps medically discharged veterans return to employment. Former military personnel, many of whom served in Iraq and Afghanistan, are supported through a specially designed ski-based rehabilitation week followed by pain management, mentoring, and employment programs. The whole process continues for a year and costs just over £14,000 per veteran. SWV's track record in getting these veterans back into the workforce is a staggering 95%! 

To quote some of the veterans:

"You have allowed me to put some demons to bed and let me achieve a dream I NEVER thought might become a reality...." 2018 Veteran

"I came off these slopes a different person, with a completely different frame of mind toward my own life and future." 2018 veteran

"Few gifts are more precious than helping someone restore their spirit, dignity and self-confidence." 2016 veteran

Having been selected to be a 'buddy', my role, together with a number of other 'buddies', will be to support one of 26 veterans for a week - no prior skiing experience (theirs that is) required, and to ensure that he/she is looked after both on and off the slopes: to be a listening ear; to proffer advice when asked, to be a part of their team on the path to rehabilitation.

The key aims of the week are to help rebuild their confidence and strength, to re-motivate, to give a sense of purpose and achievement, to help build trust and to enable them to realise that there are viable opportunities out there which hitherto had seemed unreachable.

The resort of Klosters kindly provides all ski instruction and accommodation, so all monies raised benefit the charity and its work directly.

To read more, please see here: https://www.supportingwoundedveterans.com/sports-habilitation