Guest blog: British Army Captain Nick Binnington, talks about the Race for Veterans in Belleayre, where the British Consulate-General New York helped raise $6600 for veterans injured at war.
Returning from leave mid-January, I opened my Inbox and, amongst the various e-mails, there was one from Clare Risman, the organiser of Brits at Bellayre Race for Veterans (in support of Disabled Sports USA): ‘Nick, you are still on for tomorrow, aren’t you?’ she asked. ‘Absolutely’ I replied, ‘looking forward to it’. Time for some quick footwork, the event having completely slipped my mind in the mad rush before heading off on leave!
Disabled Sports USA is a charity that does something quite brilliant: It aims to rehabilitate severely wounded servicemen and women through sports events. Both the “Wounded Warriors” and their family members are provided these opportunities free of charge – including transportation, lodging, adaptive equipment and individualized instruction – in over a dozen different winter and summer sports. This initiative does much to continue the good work that has already taken place in the initial (medical) phases of a soldier’s rehabilitation, and can broaden his/her horizons to a whole host of sporting opportunities that he/she might not have realised were available. DSUSA has hosted UK veterans at some of their sports camps, continuing the close links between our two countries, fighting side by side in Afghanistan and then during post injury rehabilitation.
For me, the charity’s motto sums it up: ‘If I can do this, I can do anything’. All of the veterans are rightly proud of the progress they have made. Some, who started a sport through Disabled Sports USA, have gone on to represent the USA, at the Paralympics in several different disciplines.
The people at Belleayre mountain have taken this event to their hearts. They understand that the UK is the closest ally of the US. Last year the event was a great success and proceeds funded sports rehabilitation for two US veterans for a year. This year the money raised was doubled, providing more veterans with the opportunity to gain hope after serious injury.
From a personal and racing, perspective the trip was just about a success: I managed to scrape a technical win, the fastest man on the hill not having pre-registered for the race! In my defence – deep breath, us racers like to make excuses – the guy that beat me, Mike Ford, was the course setter, regional race coach and official pace setter at Belleayre. I am also recovering from back surgery, am nothing like race fit, my skis were not race prepared…..etc etc etc!!
A big thank you to all those involved in organising such a great day. Although I am expecting to return to Afghanistan next year I very much hope I will be able to take part in this great event for a third year.