Information for Sponsors
Ski 2 Freedom Foundation is a small independent non-profit organisation, with charitable purpose, which was founded in 2007.
(The organisation is registered in England as a company limited by guarantee No. 6253579. UK charity status has been applied for and is pending. The Foundation will be registering an office both in France and Switzerland within the next few months.)
Catherine Cosby is the Founder and Director. Her daughter Alexandra, now aged 24 has a rare neurological disorder known as and is profoundly physically and mentally disabled. It is Alexandra’s incredible strength and courage during the course of what can only be described as a truly remarkable life, which was such an inspiration. Whilst enduring endless hospital visits and prolonged admittances with her daughter along with an existing knowledge of “handi snow-sports” Catherine came to meet some wonderful people. Realising how she could combine both a passion for the mountains and snow and a desire to encourage those with a disability or special need to take on a new challenge either for recreational or therapeutic purposes saw the birth of this unique organisation.
Ski 2 Freedom’s objective and mission
To enlighten everyone, whatever their nationality or social background, who has a disability or special need, (physical, intellectual, neurological, blind or visually impaired, deaf or hearing impaired, chronic long-term illness, cancer or non-malignant illness, post-transplant, trauma victims…..) as to the social and well-being benefits that can be provided by participation in snow-sport and mountain activities.
To make snow-sport activities accessible to all disabled or special needs people whatever their nationality or social background, so that they can be used for learning, self-expression, self-confidence, discovering and improving skills, integration and rehabilitation.
How does Ski 2 Freedom plan to meet its objective
§ By providing an independent and international resource of comprehensive information on all the elements associated with the mountains in winter, which meets the specific needs and requirements of all disabilities and special needs, so that everyone can have the opportunity to practise at an appropriate level snow-sport and mountain activities in Europe and Worldwide.
This resource is known as The Ski 2 Freedom Snow-sport and Mountain Guide for Disability and Special Needs (The Ski 2 Freedom Directory).
The Ski 2 Freedom Directory will be accessible via a dedicated website; direct from the Foundation or via our Partners.
§ Ski 2 Freedom will use The Ski 2 Freedom Directory along with other information obtained from disabled snow-sport participants, their friends and families as well as from other associated organizations to work with and enlighten charitable foundations, members of the public, medical professions and other such related organizations as to the social and well-being benefits that snow-sport and mountain activities can give people with a disability or special need. (Our primary concern is to make the mountains accessible in winter but many locations and facilitators offer many opportunities throughout the year and especially during the summer months and this information is also made available.)
§ By initiating and developing strategies in the form of personal presentations by the Foundation, articles, media related outlets such as websites and journals, press conferences, travel and ski events, and by any other means possible to get our message across.
§ By initiating and developing partnerships so that the Foundation can work with and on behalf of the appropriate specialized national governing bodies of sport, snow-sport instruction facilities, resort management, medical facilities, charitable sport organizations and other such associations, in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, to increase public and social awareness as to the benefits of snow-sport activities
How Ski 2 Freedom helps meet the needs of society in general.
§ Ski 2 Freedom believes that is vital they make and maintain personal contact with the ski stations, their snow-sports activities, the levels of instruction and the accommodation and other resort facilitators in order to meet the very specific needs and requirements of people with a disability or special need. This will ensure that individuals, families and groups have an independent choice of location - in fact, everything one needs to know to help plan the best experience ever in the mountains.
§ The Foundation is meeting and working with many different elements within the winter sport and mountain sector, some of these individuals are themselves disabled, these include ski instructors, ski schools, local, regional and national tourist authorities, other charitable organisations working within the snow-sport sector who provide specific holidays and days out on the mountain either in winter or throughout the year, charities and foundations which support the interests of disabled people, medical professionals, specialist equipment manufacturers and winter holiday companies. It is this opportunity to work with and on behalf of these people which gives Ski 2 Freedom the chance to enlighten others to an activity which promotes inclusivity and interaction within our society.
§ It takes the skills and dedication of many non-disabled people to facilitate snow-sport activities and access to the mountains. Many working as professionals or volunteers within the disability sector are now using their “work” experiences combined with their own snow-sport skills to actively help disabled people to participate in winter activities. For those without a disability using the mountains either for work or holiday and seeing “handiski” participants also raises awareness and encourages further help and motivation to do something for others within our society. There are also possibilities for those with a disability or special need who use snow-sport activities to discover or improve new or existing skills and in gaining self-awareness find employment, work as a volunteer or even represent their country in a sporting event.
Ski 2 Freedom is very aware that there should be transparency in how are funds are used and we are always delighted to provide details of our accounts and to discuss any funds given and their use in our work.
Ski 2 Freedom Foundation
info@ski2freedom.com
www.ski2freedom.com
Haselbury House
Haselbury Plucknett
Somerset TA18 7RA
UK
