Ribbon cut on Race2Recovery’s new WIS garage

Last Saturday, our Chief of Staff, Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, was invited to Hampshire to cut the ribbon on Race2Recovery’s new disability-friendly workshop.

Last Saturday, our Chief of Staff, Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, was invited to cut the ribbon on Race2Recovery’s new disability-friendly workshop in Hampshire. Race2Recovery is a successful off-road racing team that provides opportunities for people who have experienced life-changing injuries to participate in off-road activities and motorsport.

Earlier this year, our charity awarded Race2Recovery with a grant of £21,000 towards their programme costs and their new garage. They work hard to provide facilities which enable people with disabilities to participate in off-road motoring activities to aid their recovery and enhance their lives.

Set up in 2011 by a group of wounded soldiers who were inspired to take up cross-country racing, Race2Recovery’s ultimate goal was to participate in and complete the Dakar Rally. The Dakar Rally is an off-road endurance race crossing dunes, mud, camel grass, and rocks, among others. The distances of each stage vary from short distances to up to 800–900 kilometres (500–560 miles) per day. Race2Recovery are the first and only motorsport team with combat injured members to twice enter, and complete, the Dakar Rally.

The aim of their work is based on five points:

1. To provide unique opportunities for people who live with a disability to participate in off-road motoring from gentle off-road experience through to international stage rallying.
2. To inspire, motivate, and educate the global community about overcoming adversity and demonstrate what can be achieved with endeavour and team work.
3. To be fully inclusive and cater for a wide range of disabilities and ambitions.
4. To recognise and educate about the sacrifices made by the military and their families in the UK and Allied Forces.
5. To encourage donations to military charties such as BLESMA and ABF The Soldiers Charity.

Charles Sincock, Managing Principle at Race2Recovery said: “On Saturday 25^th Nov the team were proud to host ABF The Soldiers’ Charity’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Robin Bacon, who opened the garages officially.  The unveiling of this bespoke facility marries multi-height access and tools, allowing both disabled and able-bodied forces’ community members to develop skills and achieve civilian recognised qualifications. The charity is looking forward in 2018 to utilising the garage in earnest.”

Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity adds: “I was honoured to have been invited to officially open the new disability-friendly workshop for Race2Recovery in Alton, Hampshire. Race2Recovery provides vital opportunities for veterans with life-changing injuries to participate, train and qualify in off-road driving. This fantastic charity is a must for those who need encouragement to feel a part of something special after being injured, wounded or sick. Keep up the great work!”