Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) have launched a new fundraising campaign encouraging people to get active and raise money during the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, in a bid to raise £10,000 to support grassroots adaptive snowsports in the UK.
The #TeamDSUK 10k for £10k initiative is calling on individuals or groups to set their own 10,000m goal to be completed by 8th September, with all monies raised from activities going directly to helping more people with disabilities in Britain experience the benefits of adaptive skiing and snowboarding.
PHOTO: #TeamDSUK 10k for £10k © Cameron Ross Hall
Participants can take on anything from a run, swim or cycle to skiing or snowboarding 10,000 vertical metres in order to achieve the 10k distance – or even do it climbing the office stairs! You can spread the distance over the next six weeks, or complete it in one day – it’s up to you.
CEO or DSUK, Virginia Anderson said: “Adaptive snowsports provides an incredible sense of freedom to people living with disabilities and injuries. The skills and confidence that can be developed on the slopes are hugely transferable into everyday life. As a small niche charity, we want to harness this incredible summer of sport and encourage people to get active and help raise funds for DSUK, so we can expand our reach and enable more people to experience the life-changing physical, mental and social benefits snowsports provides.”
Adaptive skier, model and striker for the England Amputee Football Association women’s team Annabel Kiki, 16, from Cannock, is supporting the campaign.
PHOTO: Annabel Kiki © Cameron Ross Hall
Annabel, who was diagnosed with a bone tumour in her left leg at the age of 13 said: “Skiing was my biggest passion growing up. I love the thrill, freedom and fun of being out in the mountains. In 2022, one of the worst things in the world happened to me. I started the year with two legs and ended it with one. Losing a leg was very traumatic, but today I live by the motto ‘It’s not what happens to me, it’s what I choose to become’.
“I can’t control what’s happened, I can only control my reaction to it and by practising skiing again, I’ve learned to do every single other sport and it’s pushed me to be better than I was before. It’s helped me achieve so much more in my everyday life – like helping with my balance and being able to walk better on my prosthetic, along with surfing and football. It’s with thanks to DSUK I’ve got my confidence back.”
Annabel added: “I don’t like to think of myself as disabled, I like to think of myself as enhanced. I still wanted to achieve my dreams I had before my amputation, even though they’re adapted now, just like me.
“I don’t know what I would have done if I couldn’t relearn to ski. It’s always been such a big part of my life. Being part of the #TeamDSUK 10k for £10k campaign and helping people like me get back on their feet is a great feeling, and it would be amazing to give the opportunities DSUK have given me to other people.”
Virginia added: “Annabel is a terrific example of the people this campaign is designed to support. Some people are born with disabilities – but any one of us could have our lives changed in an instant through injury or illness. By joining #TeamDSUK this summer you can help make a real difference in supporting us to make snowsports more accessible and help more people like Annabel gain the confidence to excel in their lives on and off snow.”
To take part in the #TeamDSUK 10k for £10k challenge or to learn more about Disability Snowsport UK, visit disabilitysnowsport.org.uk/events/10k-for-10k
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