A CHARITY that helps to aid the recovery process of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans through high-octane motorsport has held an event with a Help For Heroes centre.

Veterans from Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison took part in a Mission Motorsport event, to give them the opportunity to forget about their physical and mental injuries by racing specially-modified rally cars around a track on a Catterick airfield.

Participants had a rally car driving experience using Subarus from Speedworks Motorsport, including a World Rally Championship specification car.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 25) Mission Motorsport will take veterans and personnel to Ginetta Cars factory in Leeds to see how another wounded veteran has moved into the industry.

James Cameron, chief executive of Mission Motorsport, said as a former Army officer he saw the devastating effects that injury could cause his men and women, and as he had a background in motorsport he initially set up the project to help those he worked alongside.

He said: “Veterans coming out of the Army can feel isolated so this brings them out the house – we can show them that even double or triple amputees can race cars and motorbikes, and also get involved with other aspects of the industry behind the scenes.”

Shane McConnell, an RAF veteranwho has been using Phoenix House since December last year, has had to have some of his calf muscles removed.

He said: “I was very depressed when I first came to Phoenix House but I can feel the difference in my state of mind every time I attend a session or event like today.”

To contribute towards The Northern Echo’s £100,000 appeal for a performing arts facility for Phoenix House, fill in the form http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/files/31397 and send with a cheque payable to Help For Heroes to Northern Echo Appeal, Phoenix House, Richmond Road, Catterick Garrison, DL9 3AW.