NB: THIS IS AN ONGOING FUNDRAISING PAGE. IT WAS ORIGINALLY SET UP BEFORE I WENT AS A BUDDY LAST YEAR. I AM HOWEVER CONTINUING TO RAISE AWARENESS AND MONEY FOR THE CHARITY VIA THIS PAGE.
(**If you do donate please do share you name on the page or send me an email at taisie@taisiegrant.com as I would love to very much thank you personally as it means the world to have your support. xx**)
Supporting Wounded Veterans (Formerly Skiing with Heroes) helps medically discharged Veterans who have often suffered life-shattering mental and physical injuries, back into employment through a carefully curated rehabilitation programme including a ski-habilitation week, pain management, mentoring, and employment programmes. Since 2013 they have helped 95% of their veterans find meaningful occupation.

Every year they take a group of veterans to Klosters, Switzerland to take part in a ski-habilitation week. This trip, which is a free opportunity given to the veterans by SWV, provides a supportive environment which promotes growth and transformation for the veterans. 

Depression and isolation are often common feelings that these former members of the military suffer from and this programme gives them a new start. It gives them an opportunity to build their confidence and strength both physically and mentally and connect with people in similar circumstances, as they begin their rehabilitation back to employment in a transition to civilian life. 

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

To support the veterans on this week, there is a huge support team which consists of specialist adaptive ski instructors, buddies, medics and support teams. 

I am truly honoured to be selected as one of this year's 16 volunteer buddies to support 26 veterans on their ski-habilitation week. My role as a buddy is to offer support and encouragement to my paired veteran in any capacity they need and to look after them during the week, assisting the adaptive ski instructors. From simply getting them to the slopes on time with the right kit, to skiing with them, listening, building relationships of trust and kinship and all that is required for them to get the most out of their journey, while helping them to enjoy the mountains and all that they offer.

Any of you who know me well, know that the mountains are my happy place and I believe the freedom and space the mountains provide creates such a special place for transformation to blossom. To be able to support a veteran on their personal journey in a setting that promotes self-growth, cultivates confidence and provides a safe space to let their spirit shine is the ultimate privilege. 

"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

SWV is entirely funded by donations, sponsorship and contributions. The cost of taking each veteran through the ski-habilitation week is £6,200 with the full cost of the rehabilitation programme including pain management, mentoring and employment programmes costing £14,200. None of this would be possible without your support.

Please help me raise as much money as possible, smash my target to help raise the necessary funds to what I truly believe to be an incredible opportunity for veterans to whom we own so much, as they start to rebuild their lives and shape their future as they adapt to their new normal. 

I am hugely grateful for all of your donations, however large or small.

Thank you in advance to your generosity, it means so much to me and the veterans it will support.

Please spread the word of the inspiring work that SWV do and share my page with family, friends and colleagues as the more who know about the transformational impact that SWV have, the greater their impact will become. To find out more about SWV please visit their website.  
https://www.supportingwoundedveterans.com/