The Back Up Trust has been presented with the SIGB Foundation Award, which was set up to by the Snowsport Industries of Great Britain (SIGB) to give to a good cause within UK snowsport and is funded by the UK’s winter sport tradeshow, Slide.
Back Up Trust is a national charity for people affected by spinal cord injury and provides opportunities to rebuild confidence and independence. At the SIGB AGM at Slide last week, Back Up representative, and former British Disabled Ski Team athlete Anna Turney accepted the £4,000 grant which will be used by Back Up to take people with spinal injuries to the mountains and teach them how to ski.
“Coming back home after the huge challenge of learning how to ski on a Back Up course makes the everyday challenges faced by the spinally injured seem much more manageable.” Said Anna Turney after accepting the award at the SIGB AGM. “This opportunity is truly life-changing, so support from the UK snowsport industry is massively appreciated”.
Damon Street, President of the SIGB said: “Giving people who have sustained a life changing injury the chance to use skiing as a way to build confidence is fantastic. Back Up are a truly worthy recipient of the annual SIGB Foundation Award, and we are delighted we are able to contribute to their ski courses.”
“Running the Slide trade show allows SIGB to bring money into the industry and invest it into worthwhile activities, such as the SIGB Foundation Award. We are now welcoming applications for the second SIGB Foundation Award, and hope we can continue to make an important contribution to a charity within our industry.”
Any registered charity is able to apply for the £4,000 SIGB Foundation Award. Applications must be snowsport related (for example wider participation or improved accessibility) and submitted by 1 November 2017. Applications should ideally take the form of a simple video (not a major production, it can be taken on a phone or a POV camera), maximum 1 minute. Written applications might be considered but priority will be given to video applications.
The award will be announced in early 2018. It is intended that the award is presented annually – subject to the success of the SIGB organised Slide Trade Show for snowsport in the UK.
For more information about charity Back Up visit: www.backuptrust.org.uk