You gave a dying man the opportunity to be on top of the world for what could be the last time, so thank YOU so much xx

(Instagram post from a beneficiary's cousin. The beneficiary wanted to enjoy some moments with his wife and 2 daughters before 'the inevitable happens'.

Ski 2 Freedom Foundation’s Mission Statement

What is the Ski 2 Freedom Foundation? – A unique gateway to accessible snow sports and winter experiences for hope, health and mental well-being

We are a small, dynamic UK charity registered in 2013 - having begun our work as a not for profit in 2007. The charity was created to be both an inspiration and a definitive information portal for winter-based activities and experiences, to those with life-changing needs or serious health conditions.

The concept was the brainchild, and remains the passion, of Catherine Cosby, whose daughter Alexandra was born with a rare neurological disorder (Rett Syndrome). Catherine discovered a renewed strength and mental-well-being from respite trips to the Alps in winter. She believes passionately that these same healing and spiritual qualities of the mountains could and should be shared with other families to help bring about a fundamental and emotional change in their lives.

What is the essence of Ski 2 Freedom? - Empathy, Understanding and Innovation to give families and individual’s reassurance, guidance and a helping hand towards a more enriched and inclusive life

A determination to help enrich and inspire the lives of children, young people and adults, who are affected in some way by a life-changing or serious health condition, with the empowering and health giving benefits of accessible, adaptive and inclusive snow sports and other winter mountain experiences. In securing donations, we endeavour to increase participation in these experiences by raising the profile of accessible snow sports and guiding people towards the most appropriate adaptive activity for them. Furthermore, the foundation strives to offer small grants towards these activities when appropriate.

What makes Ski 2 Freedom unique? – Over 20 years of Personal Experience, Knowledge and Valued Friendships which allows us to connect our beneficiaries to the best mountain winter activity experiences

Our strength is in our deep, personal understanding and empathy of how to help people find the right therapeutic experiences for them. At the heart of our work is access to an acclaimed specialist Resource (individually and conscientiously collected personally over the past 20 years) which, with an extensive network of snow sport providers and mountain operators, as well as with the help of our partner charity, Swiss based Mountains 4 All, is used to provide a personal and tailor-made service.

Our core values of empathy, understanding, innovation and inclusivity drive us to help our beneficiaries of all generations who face many challenges in their lives. We help them towards self-confidence, self-esteem, life-skills, respite, social inclusion, hope, a better physical and mental health, lasting memories and a powerful sense of personal achievement with family or friends.

The future and our mission – Advocacy for Accessible, Adaptive and Inclusive Winter Mountain Experiences

Ski 2 Freedom benefits society at large, regardless of health. We advocate corporate and social responsibility to make winter sports, respite and rehabilitation experiences inclusive, thus enabling our beneficiaries to share, enhance and learn from their many skills and experiences. A larger, broader and more connected network of donors, supporters, market participants and families will bring even greater inclusivity, understanding and accessibility to the mountains.

Who Benefits:

Those we have helped so far range in age from 2 to 90 years old, all with a very diverse range of medical, health and social needs including, sadly, many with life-limiting conditions. This is about making dreams come true and providing lasting memories for family and friends. Giving anyone who cares for a relative the opportunity of getting the respite and normality they so richly deserve - especially young people.

We have supported families, groups, members of the Armed Forces, main-stream and special needs schools, ski clubs, disadvantaged young people and other members of society so that all generations - facing challenges in their lives gain self-confidence, self-esteem, life-skills, respite, social inclusion, hope, a better physical and mental health, lasting memories and a powerful sense of personal achievement with family or friends!

Ski 2 Freedom has helped enrich the lives of over 7,000 children, young people and adults affected in some way by a life-changing or life-limiting condition, social inequality, social unrest or conflict (physical, special-needs, mental, trauma, neurological, cognitive, degenerative, genetic, cancer, sensory and auditive functions, or a disability). We enable our beneficiaries to gain improved mental and physical health, respite, social inclusion, hope, life-skills and lasting precious memories with family and friends.

Ski 2 Freedom Foundation is a definitive ‘Piste Map’ and has been helping to guide people for over 12 years on a journey of discovery with:

• Access to the physical and mental health restoring world of downhill and cross-country skiing, adaptive and assisted skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities – skating, toboganning, bob-sleigh, hiking, curling, ice-fishing, snow-shoe walking, ski touring, husky-dog sled rides, ski jouring….

• Access to renewed strength, relaxation, calm, serenity, well-being gained from non-sporty winter wonderland experiences – walking, photography, reading, discovering alpine food and wine, horse-drawn sleigh rides, mountain history and culture, art, film, music, playing Bridge, cookery classes, yoga, spa and well-being, mindfulness and therapy….

KEEP QUOTATIONS FROM BENEFICIARIES AS IS AT THE BOTTOM OF TEXT

Patrons:
Mr. Jamie Andrew OBE, Mr David Proud, Kelly Gallagher MBE

Trustees:
Catherine Cosby, Christopher Phillips, Lt Max Cosby Royal Navy, Alex Olley, Vanessa Neil

Charity registered England and Wales Charity Number 1151307
Company limited by guarantee in England No. 6253579
Registered address: 106 Cambridge Street, London SW1V 4QG

Sport or leisure activity, fresh air, food and being surrounded by nature is indicative to helping restore our equilibrium, an opportunity to find self-confidence and a renewed spirit for life.

A holiday, rehabilitation or rejuvenating break should be inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Welcome to the magic of the mountains and allow us to be your guide on a journey full of freedom and new experiences!