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For two young people, it was their first ever trip abroad! Thank you to Knight Frank for generously funding their places. Elisha Davenport, Toni Keirle and Callum Hughes were joined by our North West Programme Manager Morv Bett (pictured below), who has been supporting and working with our young people for the last four years.
The AJ Bell Crans-Montana Marathon 2022 challenged teams to complete five snowsports disciplines in just two days to raise funds to support our work. Our young people and Morv took part as a team, chatting to participants and promoting the impact of our work to our supporters across the two days.
We’re so proud of our young people for taking part. They have spent so much time practising their skills at the Chill Factore in Manchester, we were delighted to see them taking on with ski orienteering, laser biathlon, parallel slalom racing, a team distance challenge and a snow-shoe relay out in resort. It was no easy task, and it just shows that all that hard work, determination and commitment on our courses really pays off!
The event was run in association with the City Ski Championships, and as such Elisha, Toni and Callum were given the opportunity to speak at City Ski’s Financial Times Alpine Forum evening to attendees about their personal experiences and the challenges they have faced. They told the audience how Snow Camp has helped to give their lives purpose, gain qualifications, find positive pathways and set goals for the future. Each young person spoke with incredible honesty and the whole room was captivated by their passion for snowsports and inspiring stories. Even celebs Damon Hill, James Haskell, Marcus Waring and Eddie the Eagle (pictured below) were impressed!
Watch the video below to hear Elisha, Toni and Callum speaking! Alongside learning how to ski or snowboard, young people have access to vital mental health support and free counselling. It’s amazing to hear the positive impact this has had on Toni and Elisha. Watch the video to find out more.
Event title sponsor, AJ Bell have been supporting our work in the North West for many years. AJ Bell CEO Andy Bell and his wife Tracey Bell (pictured below) spent valuable time with Toni, Elisha and Callum. It’s always so memorable when partners can meet the young people directly benefitting from their support and our young people were wonderful ambassadors for the charity.
The Crans-Montana Marathon provided our young people with so many new opportunities. When reflecting on their experiences, Toni, Elisha and Callum jotted down all their ‘firsts’, which we love and want to share:
“First time on: real snow, a chair lift, a black run, a red run. First time in: the mountains, Switzerland, a ski slalom, my own room, a 5-star restaurant, a ski team. First time doing: a snowshoe hike, my own packing. First time meeting: AJ Bell, the founder of Snow Camp Dan Charlish, someone famous, the wider Snow Camp team. First time eating fondue. First time I felt relaxed in a place I didn’t know. First time taking part in a large charity event. First time I really felt like I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. First time I felt needed and wanted outside of my normal community.”
Elisha is a Snow Camp Youth Forum member. Callum and Toni are in the process of completing Excel and will join our Youth Forum in July! Expect to see them on our courses, supporting and inspiring the new young people joining the charity this summer.
Do you work with young people and would like to get them involved in our courses, contact the Programme Manager in your region today. Would you like to find out more about our next big alpine fundraiser? Check out the AJ Bell 3 Valley Rally here.
