RMC Impact Report 2022-23 v15 - Flipbook - Page 14
Health & Wellbeing
Ski-therapy
Building
memories
that last a lifetime
“There is without doubt a
fundamental understanding
between RMs – old and not so old
– that spans the ages... supporting
each other as if we were family.’’
Jan Mills
To continue the recovery
of wounded, injured or
sick Royal Marines in a
challenging environment,
the Charity facilitated
another ski therapy trip to
Chamonix, France where,
under the guidance of
expert instructors, there
was plenty of opportunity
to learn and develop
skiing or boarding skills.
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This was a third visit to the region,
following the recce and inaugural
event in 2019, after which further
plans had to be put on hold till 2022
due to Covid travel restrictions.
The group was hosted by former
paratrooper, Dan White, who
has spent 16 years converting
a barn into a beautiful house
that sleeps up to 12 people.
This year, however, much to everyone’s
relief, the French government relaxed
their entry rules only days before
the first group departed and so,
with fantastic weather and snow
cover, the adventure was on.
The Chamonix Valley is considered
by many to be the best freeride
resort in the world with its five
ski resorts — Grands Montets, Les
Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere
and Le Brevent — all less than an
hour’s drive from the house.
20 beneficiaries, in two groups of
10, headed off to France. These
included single and double amputees,
PTSD sufferers, and those with hip
replacements and cancer, aged
between their late 20’s and mid-60’s.
Having collected their ski kit from
Chamonix and being split into three
groups — beginners, intermediate
and advanced — a first day’s skiing
was enjoyed at Les Houches.
RMA – The Royal Marines Charity Impact Report 2022–2023
Local skiers and mountain guides
instructed the group, giving their
time free of charge and ensuring
the success of the trip. One of the
instructors was Peter Kyall, a former
Royal Marine now living in Servos.
The Bootnecks taking part all
benefitted from the opportunity to
reconnect with other members of the
Corps Family and the mix of different
generations of Royal Marines worked
especially well. The group instantly
bonded and the camaraderie was
just as strong for the Royal Marines
that left over 20 years ago as it was
for those that had left more recently.
Much respect was generated
from the sharing of experiences,
building memories that will last a
lifetime — and all want to return.
www.rma-trmc.org
Dan’s support in hosting the group was
invaluable. He has already offered to
make this an annual event and maybe
also include summer expeds for
climbing, mountain and road biking.
However, the success of the whole
event must be credited to former
Royal Marine and above-theknee double amputee, Ian ‘Bish’
Bishop, who lives in Spain. He was
the incomparable mastermind in
organising the trip, and was the
advance party, duty driver, shopper,
sometimes cook, ski pass purchaser,
ski hire arranger, herding of cats and
admin guru all rolled into one. Nothing
phases Bish. Our enormous thanks.
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