Ford Helps Disabled Service Ski Team Into A Transit Minibus

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – Nov 8, 2011: Ford has once again come to the aid of disabled Service skiers to compete in international winter sports events with the provision of a new Transit minibus.

The Ford Transit, a nine-seater Tourneo 280 short wheelbase, will be used by the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team (CSDST) to transport athletes and their equipment around the Alps this winter. It is the third consecutive year that Ford has assisted the team.

The CSDST is a registered charity which provides quality race coaching to serving members of the Armed Forces, and to veterans, all of whom have a permanent disability. Most members were injured on active service, and several are double amputees.

Last season the team won three gold, four silver and four bronze medals in international events and this season will train in Austria ahead of Army competitions in January and the Inter Services Championships in February. Several CSDST members are hoping to make the British Disabled Ski Team and represent their country in the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia.

“Ford’s assistance in providing the Tourneo is greatly appreciated,” said Lt Col Mike Quaile, team deputy chairman. “The vehicle enables us to move both the disabled skiers and their equipment during training and competitions, and without it we would struggle to provide these opportunities to disabled service men and women.”

Transit brand manager David Petts added: “Ford is very pleased to again assist the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team. The work being done by the team’s trainers, and the efforts being made by team members themselves, is not only inspirational but gives everyone great pride.”