My Dear Friends and Family,

 

I am well aware that you must get these requests all the time but please take a moment to read about this new charity that I have already seen the very tangible results of...

Skiing with Heroes is a charity which aims to take a group of wounded ex-soldiers for a week’s adaptive skiing every year in Klosters. The injuries range from double amputees, to the blind, to sufferers of severe post-traumatic stress disorder and any other life-changing injuries you can think of. As I have just returned from the inaugural trip which proved to be wildly successful it has become a cause close to my heart. Have a look at the bottom of the page for some of the comments that the veterans made on the trip as they sum it up better than I could (particularly the one about the chap who "had a boss time").

Now, to allow more soldiers to experience the joy of skiing we need, yep.....your money! So I have decided to cycle around London all night in June with some friends, including Fred Moynan who has recently returned from sunny Helmand, and we need your help to get some more soldiers out to Klosters next year. A 100km cycle in London isn't the hardest thing in the world but living with these injuries can be and a week in Klosters goes some way to healing their scars whether they be physical or mental.

Even a few quid will help us immensely so please spend 5 minutes tapping your debit card details into our justgiving page - your money really does go a long way.

Yours,

The Team

James Batting, Tom Batting, Emma Clarkson Webb, Celia Dehnert, Tintin Macdonald, Fred Moynan

x

The veterans' comments:

..you have allowed me to put some demons to bed, and let me achieve a dream I NEVER thought might become a reality...remember we are all here to support SwH now, and I will help you in any way I can.

...I cannot put into words how grateful I am for all the hard work,compassion and effort..to know that there are those who have such drive and determination to give such support to us...is such a comfort.

...this little village has given me more in 1 week than the whole of the UK in all my life. I have slept through the night for the first time in 3 years ,and so much of my confidence has come back . It has been such a privilege,thank you for the opportunity. You have helped me in more ways than you can ever know. I will never be able to thank you all, but any way I can help, fund raising, anything, it would be an honour.

...You are all truly one of a kind, and a treasure to us vets.

.. you have genuinely big hearts ,and I feel privileged to have been invited out to Switzerland, and to call you my friends.

.. It's been an honour to get to know you , and I've been inspired by your vision to help others

..I never thought I would ne able to ski due to my injury, but you have made this possible. I will be forever grateful. If there is ANYTHING I can do to help...

...As a man of very few words, I would like to say you're boss,your charity is boss, and I've had a boss time. I can really hardly believe that I have skied. Thank you ,thank you, thank you . No charity has really ever helped me, but SWH has ,as you promised. I still can't believe it ....

.. you all deserve a damn good pat on the back....Please let me help out in the future.

..thank you for helping me to forget my problems for a while and you and the buddies making me feel loved and special.