In June 2022 the charity Supporting Wounded Veterans (SWV) will be taking 16 wounded veterans sailing in the Solent for their Ocean Challenge sailing week.  This week will be the start of the next stage of the veterans' rehabilitation back into employment and helping them to continue rebuilding their lives following injury and trauma.

The SWV Ocean Challenge, part of SWV's needs-led pathways for veterans to regain independence after injury or illness, is a fun, demanding, adrenaline fuelled and competitive sailing event across five days of intensive training culminating in the Round the Island Race.

This Sporthabilitation event aims to engage veterans and give them the confidence to take the next steps in their lives. They will subsequently be supported in our other programmes and our support will continue for as long as it is required.

SWV was set up in 2012 to help those personnel from all 3 Services with physical and/or mental injuries to rebuild their lives and to prepare for the future through a carefully designed and unique, sailing and ski-based programmes specifically created to help them regain lost confidence, fitness and strength. It is part of an ongoing rehabilitation journey involving mentoring, pain management and employment programmes. 

I served for 33 years in the British Army and was very lucky to leave without suffering any mental or physical injuries. Now I have the opportunity to pay back and help some of those who have been very much less fortunate than me.

I am delighted and honoured to have been selected to be a 'buddy' for this Ocean Challenge Week, during which the veterans will tackle really significant mental and physical challenges that will help them to build their confidence and self-belief and set them on the path to a better future.  As a 'buddy' my role will be to support the veterans in any way I can by being there when they need me throughout the week, both on and off the boat.

Thank you in advance for donating to such an amazing cause!