Banner image: Neil Simpson MBE – VI Skier
This year’s Christmas card is dedicated to the GB Winter Paralympic Ski Team in their build up to the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games.
Hester Poole, age 20, VI skier, from Somerset, began skiing at the age of 7 with her brother Benjie as her guide. Hester has now gained enough points to be selected to GB’s Para Alpine World Cup Squad where she will go on to compete on the international circuit. To relax from skiing Hester loves walking her guide dog Pickle!
Sam Cozens, age 19, from Bath, grew up playing VI football but found it difficult to follow the ball so he decided to try skiing! Sam, with only 70 degree diameter vision, is absolutely committed to his skiing and can often be found hurtling himself down a mountain, with his guide Adam, at speeds of over 60 mph, in his determination to win a paralympic medal at the forthcoming Winter Games!
Neil Simpson MBE, age 23, lives in Banchory, Scotland. Neil started his skiing career at the age of four. Neil was soon regularly winning Europa Cup and World Cup medals. He was selected, with his brother Andrew, as his guide, to the GB team for the 2021 World Championships where they won silver in the Alpine Combined. The pair went on to the 2022 Winter Paralympics, in Beijing, winning Gold in the Super-G and Bronze in the Combined. Neil competed at the 2023 World Championships and won 3 medals including another Gold in the Super-G!
Menna Fitzpatrick MBE, age 27, whose hometown is Macclesfield, has no vision in her left eye and limited sight in her right, therefore, having less than 5% overall vision. In 2012, Menna joined the British Ski Team and went on to become one of the World’s greatest ever skiers. Menna has won 16 Paralympic and World Championships medals along with numerous World Cup medals and titles. With her guide, Katie, she is cementing her legacy as Britain’s most decorated Winter Paralympian!
The charity is also pleased to support other talented, para skiers and snowboarders including; James Barnes-Miller, Dom Allen, Jamie T, Amy Clegg, and Fred Warburton some of whom are also hoping to qualify for the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.
Get Kids Going! has given more than £500,000 in support to the GB Winter Paralympic team and wishes them all success in their quest for medals in 2026.
Get Kids Going! is a national charity which gives disabled children and young people – up to the age of
26 yrs – the wonderful opportunity of participating in sport. We provide them with specially built sports wheelchairs and sports equipment so they can take part in paralympic sports such as; alpine skiing, snowboarding, athletics, tennis, rugby, sailing, basketball, table tennis, shooting, archery, powerlifting and many more sports. Get Kids Going! inspires British disabled youngsters to compete in sporting events, from start to paralympic level, by also giving them sports grants to help with their; training, physiotherapy, travel, competition fees, design and development of sports’ equipment. With your help, many of our youngsters can go on to become world record holders and paralympic champions!
