SICK and injured Army veterans have been enjoying the outdoor life as part of their Help for Heroes rehabilitation programme.

A group from the charity’s northern recovery centre, Phoenix House at Catterick, have just returned from a residential outdoors activity trip to the Lake District.

And they completed a full four-day schedule by Bassenthwaite Lake of sailing, canoeing, climbing and hill walking in a specialised environment that caters for significant injuries and disabilities

Run by the Calvert Trust, the twice-yearly trips help the veterans lead active, independent and fulfilling lives post-injury and help support them as they either return to duty or transition to civilian life.

Among those taking part was Scott Geering, a 38-year-old former tank transporter driver with the Royal Logistics Corps who was left with a brain injury after a road traffic accident and is paralysed down one side of his body.

Determined to live as independently as possible, he said his trip to the Calvert Trust played an important part in achieving that.

“I loved it. I liked everything I did,” said Scott who lives in Sunderland. “It put my mind at rest, enabled me to let my hair down, be myself and chill. “The staff were kind, courteous and helpful and I can’t wait to go back”

Phoenix House physical development manager Rob Hood said the idea was to stretch and challenge people despite their limitations.

“This way, individuals firstly overcome their reservations and then realise what they are capable of doing, rather than feeling they are being held back by their disabilities or injuries,” he added.

“At Help for Heroes, we aim to ‘inspire, enable and support’ and these sort of experiences are a perfect way of doing this.”

Activities manager John Ford, said: “The initial programme is designed to challenge each participant and push the perceptions of what they are able to achieve.

“From this starting point, it’s then up to our experienced activity instructors to modify the programme, taking into account the specific goals of the group to help achieve the most positive outcomes possible.”

Justin Farnan from the Calvert Trust added: “With over 40 years’ experience we have all the specialist accommodation, equipment, staff and knowledge required to enable even those with the most complex needs enjoy their stay.

“We know that the experience of doing exciting activities in a residential setting can really make a difference in building confidence and independence for those who may be facing significant challenges in their daily lives.

“Unsurprisingly it is an amazing and rewarding place to work, seeing the difference just a few days in a new and challenging environment can make.”

*To support the charity’s work visit.helpforheroes.org.uk/