21 Mar Help for Heroes ran a taster winter sports session locally
VETERANS who have suffered life-changing injury or illnesses recently got to experience winter sports for the first time at Hemel Hempstead as part of their ongoing recovery journeys.
Help for Heroes ran a taster winter sports session at Hemel Hempstead Snow Centre last week to inspire and empower veterans to take up skiing or snowboarding as part of their recovery.
Seventeen wounded, injured and sick veterans from across the UK, inspired by the Paralympic Games in PyeongChang, hit the slopes for the first time since their injuries and took part in three different sessions; sit-skiing, skiing and snowboarding.
One of those Veterans was Poppy Pawsey, 31, who served for 12 years in the Royal Marine Band Service travelling the world playing music before she was medically discharged with a back and hip injury. She joined the RM Band Service in 2005 as a saxophonist and violinist, but also performed as a singer. As a musician she trained for active service with the medics and convoy drivers and to deal with the chemical decontamination of casualties.
A former keen snowboarder, she had been too nervous to try the sport again since injury but said the session at Hemel Hempstead had given her a second chance to fall in love with the sport again.
If you wish to get involved with Winter Sports as part of your recovery, please go to https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-support/get-support/
