WOUNDED, injured, sick serving and veteran personnel have just spent a week skiing in the French Alps as part of an on-going recovery programme.

Veterans from Help for Heroes Plymouth Naval Service Recovery Centre joined with serving personnel from Hasler NSRU — the Royal Navy's rehabilitation unit within Devonport Naval Base — to learn to ski or improve their skills as well as using the time away to refocus their minds.

The activity received funding support from Help for Heroes and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).

During the week the novices in the group of 12 were given lessons by Royal Marine Colour Sergeant Marty Wilkin.

Improvers practised skills such as short and medium radius turns, carving and skiing in variables and were instructed at a higher level using the whole of the Espace Killy ski area by Help for Heroes physical development manager Marty Aldrich.

Dominic Smith, a vet­eran from the Royal Engineers who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, said of the trip: 'This was just what I needed; a chance to hang out with the lads and do something like when I was serving. This is what I miss most and it's so much better than being sat in a room not doing much.'

Greig Phillips, who suffered a below knee amputation after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan in 2009, had never skied before and also had to overcome a fear of heights to make it down the slopes.

He said: 'I can't believe I did so well; I picked up skiing surprisingly fast. I'm hooked on this and only hope I can get a specific prosthetic ski leg to enable me to get better.'

Serving Able Seaman Matt Keylock has a traumatic brain injury which affects his ability to control his limbs on his right side. He was told he would find skiing difficult, even though he had skied before.

'This was extremely frustrating and over the first couple of days I left the slopes thinking it was going to be impossible,' said Matt.

'However, with continued help from my physio and instructor, I was able to achieve more than I thought possible, linking turns, able to control my speed and use a poma button lift. I want to ski again. It gives a great sense of freedom and achievement.'

Help for Heroes' Marty Aldrich, who co-ordinated the trip, said: 'Despite some tough conditions with high winds and falling snow the group did brilliantly throughout the week. Everyone has improved greatly and many have found a new enthusiasm for a sport they did regularly prior to their illness or injuries.'

Help for Heroes is the leader in delivering recovery for wounded servicemen and women and their families.

In the past year alone, the charity has staged 300 sporting events across 50 different areas, enabling more than 1,800 wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans to take part in adaptive sports. 

The work that Help for Heroes is doing in sports recovery is only made possible through donations from the people who support the charity. To donate or sign up to a challenge, including the upcoming Hero Ride cycle challenge visit http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk">www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Help for Heroes' Plymouth Recovery Centre helps serving (as part of an on-going relationship with the MOD) and veteran wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women from all services across the South West.

For more information on the support available, call 01752 562179 or alternatively, email [email protected]">[email protected]