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January 2006 - Disability SnowSport
Disability Snowsport is a UK registered charity whose aim is to make skiing and snowboarding inclusive to everyone. In January 2006 we were able to support a UK team in their bid to raise money for the charity when they took part in a 24 hour race on snow.
It looked more like a scene from Graceland than the Grace Foundation when the 6 man team from around the UK took to the slopes as part of a 24 hour ski race in January 2006. The team “Elvis Skis”, in their Elvis themed outfits, took part in the 8th annual GP 24 Heures, a 24 hour race on snow that takes place every year in Villars, Switzerland. The teams cover over 460 kilometers during the 24 hour event. This year the chosen charity of the event was Disability Snowsport, who are unique in that they work with all ages and disabilities using specially trained instructors, volunteers and utilising adapted equipment to give everyone the chance to experience the thrill and excitement of these wonderful sports. We were able to support Disability Snowsport through the sponsorship of the UK team, who finished 3rd in the overall fundraising tally.
“I was incredibly excited when the team captain, Tim Bletcher, came to us looking for help. I broke my back in 1996 and went on a skiing trip with the Back-Up Trust, a charity set up to promote activity for spinal cord injured people, soon after leaving hospital. It was pivotal in helping me regain my confidence and self belief and I’ve never looked back since. Disability SnowSport are striving to make skiing inclusive to everyone and I have first hand experience of the incredibly benefits this can bring.”
Jason Richards, the Grace Foundation UK
