There are loads of charities these days, too many some people say. A lot of illnesses, conditions or causes each have loads of charities representing them but we’ve just heard about one that is quite unique. It is Mission Motorsport, a registered service charity, which helps people affected by military operations to recover and rehabilitate through motorsport. Their objective is to help injured veterans recuperate, regain their confidence and gain vocational opportunities in motoring.
They have a strong team ethos which through participation in competition helps recovering military personnel to rebuild their confidence and develop new and existing skills to motivate them and build a new future. Tough competitive team sports help participants to increase their resilience and instills independence which is vital for disabled veterans. Mission Motorsport is run by serving officers, veterans and motorsport professionals. It has been appointed by the British Army Motorsport Association as the Combined Service’s official providers of adaptive motorsport, trying to merge the activities of disabled and able bodied servicemen and women.
Mission Motorsport works in three ways:
Experience:
Providing the opportunity to gain privileged access to big events and gaining a “white knuckle introduction to an exciting and engaging sport”.
Competition
Creating teams, preparing, developing, coaching and teamwork provide participants with emotional and practical support. All the logistics of car and boat preparation, mechanical skills and race management abilities help to build up confidence and skills. Teams enter into major international endurance events and provide pit crews for races like the Le Mans Classic.
Vocation
Vocational support is available through the provision of educational opportunities. These range from training courses such as a one day basic car maintenance course through to a Modular Motorsport Foundation course ending in a residential placement with a major race team. People interested in seamanship can gain RYA and City & Guild qualifications. The training available is diverse, it includes engineering and mechanics but also project management, management, security, logistics, events work and media studies. The aim is to get placements and experience with relevant companies such as Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover and the BBC. Mission Motorsport is often offered full and part time roles and placement opportunities within the motorsport and motor industry.
They try to raise as much money as possible through non charity sources and they also receive support from Help for Heroes, but they do fundraise as well. If you would to donate to them please click here or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. Good luck to them!
