Smiles on the slopes as Duchess of Edinburgh becomes royal patron of Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has marked her first day as royal patron of the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST) by spending time on the indoor ski slopes with para athletes, coaches and veterans of the charity.
There was palpable anticipation and excitement for the arrival of Her Royal Highness at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead – one of Britain's premier destinations for indoor skiing and snowboarding – and the Duchess wasted no time in speaking to those responsible for the running of AFPST, as well as the pioneers aiming to break world records to raise funds and awareness for the charity's mission.
There is great hope that the Duchess's royal status can boost the profile of the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team, which aims to rebuild confidence and resilience in wounded, injured and sick personnel and veterans through adaptive snowsports.
Her Royal Highness took on several ski runs on the indoor pistes, between engagements with representatives of the AFPST alpine, snowboard and Nordic ski disciplines, several of whom began their journeys with the charity after enduring serious injuries on deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan.
One such member is Steve Arnold, a Paralympian and former Royal Engineer who was injured in Afghanistan in 2011, who is embarking on an unprecedented, unsupported team crossing of the huge Finnmarksvidda plateau in the high north of Norway in March 2027.
The expedition will involve a distance of 120 to 150 kilometres over five days, raising awareness and funds for the work of AFPST. The project, named after the location, is called VIDDA.
The team of four injured veterans are no strangers to elite sport – Arnold's compatriots are Jaco Van Gass, world record holder in cycling; Gregg Stevenson, world record holder in rowing and Scott Meenagh, British Paralympic Games veteran.
Speaking to BFBS, Arnold explained: "It's fine always saying to sponsors 'give me some money' and we'll go and have a great time and help other injured veterans.
"But we actually wanted the sponsors to come along this time so we came up with this idea of going to do an amazing expedition but also have a great adventure up in Norway.
"Take sponsors along, great sights, reindeer, Northern Lights - and not have it too easy either - live in the conditions of staying out in tents every night and skiing every day, so that was the whole concept of it in the early days."
Speaking positively of the Duchess' new role as royal patron, Arnold said: "Meeting Her Royal Highness and having the chance to share what AFPST means to so many of us was a real privilege.
"The Duchess's interest in our stories and the charity’s work highlights how important these programmes are for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans."
Her Royal Highness also spoke to members of the charity's pioneering Nordic ski programme, including Dan Eden, who is gearing up for a 24-hour Nordic ski world record attempt in aid of the charity, and Nordic athlete Lyndsey Kelly, who spoke about how cross-country skiing has helped to drive her own recovery.
AFPST's chief operating officer, Elizabeth Winfield, added: "The Duchess’s patronage marks a defining moment in AFPST's journey.
"It strengthens our ability to grow, to reach more veterans and to deliver the life‑changing programmes that sit at the heart of our charity. Having Her Royal Highness meet our athletes firsthand brings powerful visibility to their resilience and achievements and reinforces why projects like VIDDA are so vital."
AFPST has delivered UK training camps and Armed Forces competitions throughout the year, in addition to its rehabilitation programme in Ukraine.
The charity took around 90 athletes and staff to Winter Park, Colorado, where they supported Scott Meenagh in competing at his third Paralympic Games.
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