Introducing an extraordinary endeavor that will be a feat of human power and determination as a fearless group of twenty indomitable AFPST athletes and dedicated staff take on an arduous expedition to conquer the renowned Everest Base Camp in May 24. The magnitude of this endeavor cannot be understated, as it will test their physical and mental strength to the very core. But their unwavering mission transcends personal achievements and aspires to raise significant fund, to ensure AFPST continues to empower our deserving athletes and propel them forward.

Come with me on an extraordinary journey as I embark on a feat of human power and determination with the Armed Forces Para-Snowsports Team.

I will be joining a fearless group of twenty indomitable athletes and dedicated staff together, as a Team, taking on the renowned Everest Base Camp Trek in May 2024. This arduous expedition will test our physical and mental strength to the very core, and take many of us to the edge, but our unwavering mission transcends personal achievements.

We aim to raise significant funds through the AFPST Everest Base Camp Trek campaign, ensuring that our deserving athletes are empowered to reach their full potential and give them something they could only have dreamed of before.

My name is Conrad, I was Wounded Injured Sick during service with Operational Tours in the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Gulf War 1 and other areas around the world and I faced daily mental & physical challenges as a result of serving my beloved Country.

On January 16th 1993 I died TWiCE whilst competing in the British Military Alpine skiing championship in Galtur, Austria. At close to 70 MPH in a Giant Slalom race my right ski binding released on landing from a jump and I was knocked unconscious and tumbled, like a ‘rag doll’ according to onlookers, down the mountain for 100 meters before coming to a stop, lifeless. The Race Doctor rushed to me and after a few minutes of CPR I was revived. Taken off the mountain and placed in an Ambulance, I suffered a further Cardiac Arrest and died again. It took 5 minutes to defibrillate me. On arrival at St Vincent hospital in Zamms I was then HELIVAC to the University hospital Innsbruck and on ‘life-support’, VSIL for many days in Neurological Intensive Care. Thanks to the amazing hospital staff, the quick actions of the Race Doctor and persistence’ of the Ambulance Crew, I am alive to be able to help others!

I’ve always had the Commando spirit and Mindset required and I served for 10 years in the Army until Wounds, Injury, Sickness, Gulf War Illness, psychological issues and the life changing effects of the ski racing accident caused my career to sadly end; More detail of the ‘Challenges’ I face is listed elsewhere to purely highlight the real difficulty I will face and inevitably the Determination needed to go beyond the pain and dig deep in my ‘Mind’.

AFPST Charity virtually saved my life at a time when I was at an all-time low. It has helped me immensely with my physical strength and desire to, if not overcome many disabilities, find new ways to improvise and adapt. AFPST has helped many serving military personnel & veterans psychologically come to terms with traumas suffered in military service such PTSD and revive their confidence & hope.

The AFPST Charity is a fantastic loving Family with many awesome dedicated staff who have given me so much that words cannot describe it; I owe them so much and every penny raised transcends athlete’s lives and creates smiles bigger than Everest itself!

We are doing this for others, many of who are far worse off than us, including amputees, and this drives us as we prepare for this incredible adventure, although we are reminded of the challenges that we athletes face every day; it will be immensely tough, just as the training we are currently undergoing is; no pain no gain. This underlines how dedicated we are of securing a future for the AFPST Charity and what it provides athletes with.

The AFPST provides vital support to individuals with mental and physical disabilities, enabling them to participate in sports such as skiing, snowboarding, Nordic & Biathlon and achieve their dreams. By donating to our cause, you can help us continue this important work and make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.

My target is to raise £8,000 for this campaign and future events, and your generosity will help us provide essential equipment, training opportunities, support services and much more for all our athletes in the AFPST now and in the future; it could even save lives just as they did for me.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and remember there’s no ‘dis’ in ‘ability’ whether mental or physical.

Love Conrad