DSUK Launches New Fundraising Campaign  

11th March 2025

Last modified on March 14th, 2025

The ‘Gift of Adventure Campaign’ aims to help 1,500 disabled children and adults across Britain to learn how ski and snowboard over the next 12 months.

Delivering adaptive ski and snowboard lessons as private sessions, group sessions, holiday weeks and special social events.

The charity is aiming to empower more disabled people on the slopes by enabling them to experience the freedom, fun and sense of community that snowsport brings.

The charity is asking for leaders within the winter sports sector to embrace inclusivity and back their campaign by contributing towards their six-figure fundraising goal.

CEO of Disability Snowsport UK, Virginia Anderson, says, “We are inviting companies who understand the incredible impact that snowsport can have to support us in making skiing and snowboarding more accessible.

“We see every day the joy and freedom that adaptive snowsport brings to children, adults, parents and carers.

“We want every area of the industry to join our ‘Gift of Adventure’ appeal so that together we can increase access to the slopes and break down barriers”.

Virginia Anderson CEO Disability Snowsport UK © Cameron Ross Hall – Holmlands

Anna Greene, 33, from North London has Cerebral Palsy and been skiing with DSUK since 2021.

“As a full-time wheelchair user, skiing has become a huge passion in my life,” said Anna.

“I first learnt to ski with DSUK at the Chill Factore in Manchester before continuing lessons at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

“I’ve since been able to travel with the charity to Andorra and have made great friends on the holiday weeks.

“I can’t ski independently, and my instructor uses tethers to guide me down the slope, but I’m in charge of making my turns.

“Before I started skiing, I didn’t see sport as an option for me.

“Skiing has been life changing and had a huge impact on my mental health, helping me to be more present in the moment and stop overthinking.

“There’s nothing quite like the rush of adrenaline when you’re skiing down a mountain.”

Disability Snowsport UK Arinsal March 2024 © Cameron Ross Hall – Holmlands

Disability Snowsport UK Arinsal March 2024 © Cameron Ross Hall – Holmlands

“From tourist boards to kit manufacturers, travel operators and retailers, we need their support to fundraise or donate funds to Disability Snowsport UK and allow us to empower more people through the sport we all love,” added Virginia.

“We have a hugely talented team of adaptive instructors and a demand to deliver sessions to people of all ages, disabilities and injuries – but fundraising has taken a huge hit since the pandemic, and we need the help of the industry to support us in making snowsport more accessible if we are able to continue helping people like Anna.”

Disability Snowsport UK Arinsal March 2024 © Cameron Ross Hall – Holmlands

Crystal Ski Holidays, Ellis Brigham, Hays Travel Foundation, Iglu Ski and Carv are supporting the campaign through activities ranging from:

• Customer donations on bookings
• Donating a percentage of specific product sales
• Employee fundraising
• Corporate donations

Virginia continues, “The world is recognising the need to be more inclusive but as a small niche charity, we need the commercial support of the industry to back up their interest and enable us to reach and surpass our goal of reaching 1,500 disabled children and adults this year.”

Virginia Anderson. Disability Snowsport UK. © Cameron Ross Hall – Holmlands

To support the campaign or make a pledge contact fundraising@disabilitysnowsport.org.uk for more details.

About DSUK:

Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) provides inclusive snowsport for everyone; regardless of disability, injury or experience.

 DSUK is the UK’s leading adaptive snowsport charity and helps disabled children and adults 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 is supported by a fantastic team of highly-qualified adaptive instructors as well as a brilliant network of passionate and skilled volunteers – working together to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to access snowsport. 

For more information visit disabilitysnowsport.org.uk 

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