The Combined Services Disabled Ski Team was set up during 2008 as part of the services' Battle Back programme. Skiers were selected from personnel who took part in the first Adaptive Ski Training Exercise, run in March 2008 ("Ex Snow Warrior").

The team consists of members of all three services who have either been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan or who have suffered traumatic non-battlefield injuries that prevent them from undertaking able-bodied sport.

Currently the team consists of Captain Martin Hewitt - Para - shot through the shoulder in Afghanistan; Staff Sergeant Mark Hutchinson - Royal Engineers - who lost the use of his right arm in a motorcycle accident; Sergeant Mick Brennan - Royal Signals - who lost both legs above the knee in a suicide-bomb blast in Iraq; and Trooper Steve Shine - Royal Tank Regiment - who lost one leg to an Improvised Explosive Device in Iraq.

All the current members of the team have been through rehabilitation at Headley Court and now lead a largely independent life within the forces.

Quite amazingly, Sergeant Brennan and Trooper Shine only learnt to ski in March 2008, but they (and Captain Hewitt) have already been selected for the British Disabled Ski Team Development Squad (BDST). Staff Sergeant Hutchinson is already a member of the BDST and has been racing this year at Europa Cup level. Another ex Snow Warrior completed in March and there will be at least three more skiers joining the squad next season.

All the team members have been through horrific injuries, especially those wounded in action. Their progress to recovery, which can never be absolute, has been an enormously painful journey. Rehabilitation at Headley Court is incredibly taxing and those who have lost lower limbs have had to learn to walk again on computer-controlled prosthetic legs. Then they had to learn to ski, a process in which falling over is infinitely more painful and dangerous than for an able-bodied skier.

They face extraordinary levels of pain simply learning to ski. In order to race at international level, they have to push themselves an extraordinary amount; some have broken their remaining limbs during training and, in some cases, have aggravated their original wounds. This shows a level of dedication that is hard to match in any walk of life, but their burning desire to prove themselves, to reach for a normal life and, ultimately, to compete in a UK team suit is what drives them inexorably forward.

These incredibly determined and extremely brave young skiers deserve every chance to compete at the 2014 Paralympics.

They have given a considerable part of themselves in the service of their country and it would be very fitting if they could compete for that country in a sport to which they are totally committed.

Contact: Colonel David Eadie

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