The Skier & Snowboarder magazine’s regular look at the opportunities offered by Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) continues with news of how we can all help raise funds to double the number of ski and snowboard lessons they organise for disabled children and adults
The new SkiBay campaign recently launched by Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) is gaining traction and the charity hopes more skiers and snowboarders will continue to sell their unwanted winter equipment and items of clothing to help raise thousands of pounds.
The vital funds are needed as DSUK is aiming to double the number of lessons provided for disabled children and adults in Britain in 2023.
The campaign asks people to upload their unwanted items to eBay by selecting ‘Make a Donation’ to Disability Snowsport UK (The Uphill Ski Club of Great Britain) and create the UK’s biggest online second-hand store for skiers.
Ed Leigh, who is backing the SkiBay4DSUK Campaign
Snowboarder and Ski Sunday Presenter, Ed Leigh, who is supporting the campaign, said: “We are calling on winter sports fanatics up and down the nation to back our #SkiBay4DSUK campaign and upload their unwanted gear to eBay – making a donation of their choice to DSUK – obviously the bigger the donation, the more adaptive skiers we can help. It’s that simple.
“It’s also a no brainer for the planet. By keeping our stuff in circulation rather than throwing it away or letting it collect dust, we are all helping are to make winter sports more sustainable – and raising money to empower disabled people to share in the sports we all love. It’s a win-win for the planet, for skiers, for the charity, for everyone – so get selling your stuff folks and do it for DSUK!”
CEO of DSUK Virginia Anderson said: “The campaign has got off to a great start, and it was wonderful to pack a car boot load of equipment off to post office to be given a new lease of life.
“It’s a simple idea but can help make a huge difference to a niche charity like DSUK. It’s no secret that the effects of the pandemic have been devasting to the charity se
CEO of DSUK Virginia Anderson
ctor and especially to a small organisation like ours, but by launching our new #SkiBay4DSUK Campaign we want to become the biggest online second-hand shop for skiers in the country. Your support will help disabled people to be more active, make friends and have fun by taking part in snowsport.
“Ultimately we want this campaign to put DSUK front of mind to every winter sports enthusiast in the country – so when a skier lists an item for sale on eBay, DSUK are always considered for some percentage of their item to be directed to helping more disabled people get involved on the slopes too.”
Virgina added: “The beauty is, items listed don’t all have to be ski related – donations can be made from the sale of anything! But if we can reach as many skiers and snowboarders in the country as we can and encourage them to support us in this campaign, it will have a significant impact on offsetting the challenges incurred by Covid-19 and help us move forward to double our reach this winter – where our ultimate goal is to provide everyone with a disability in Britain the opportunity to try Snowsports and experience the benefits the sport can have on empowering people with disabilities on and off the ski slope.”
Melissa Sellwood, Head of eBay for Charity said: “We are proud to support the #SkiBay4DSUK campaign. Through eBay’s online shop window, DSUK’s campaign will reach a global customer base of over 340 million viewers, which we hope will double the support they can offer in the coming year. DSUK work hard to empower those with disabilities through Snowsports, and we are thrilled that we can help them boost their fundraising and put their goals into action.”
Supporters are encouraged to join the conversation and share their eBay listings on social media, using the hashtag #SkiBay4DSUK
Elaine, a chartered accountant who has cerebral palsy which affects her balance and control over the left side of her body, explained: “Learning to ski was way out of my comfort zone and was something that really scared me. From the beginning DSUK have provided me with the opportunity to overcome that fear and take part in something I really enjoy.
“I have also gained more confidence generally and I’m sure that’s down to learning to learning to ski.”
#SkiBay4DSUK will help make sure that many more people like Elaine can be part of our snowsport community.
- Donate your items via the DSUK eBay page here and go to disabilitysnowsport.org.uk to discover more about the organisation.
Check out the full campaign video here.
DSUK: Disability Snowsport UK provides inclusive snowsport for everyone; regardless of disability, injury or experience.
DSUK is the UK’s leading adaptive snowsport charity and helps disabled people to be more active, make friends and have fun by taking part in snowsport.
DSUK operate ski schools at various locations throughout the UK as well as providing opportunities to ski and snowboard in a mountain environment worldwide.
The charity are supported by a team of highly-qualified adaptive instructors and a network of passionate and skilled volunteers – working together to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to access snowsport.
Categories: News