A former soldier from Kendal is transforming the lives of injured, ill and disabled service personnel through adaptive skiing.

Originally from Manchester, 62-year-old Al Robertson is a highly qualified adaptive ski instructor and recently led a group of military instructors in Bavaria.

They taught skiing to service personnel as part of a scheme known as adaptive skiing, aimed at aiding recovery and rehabilitation.

Coordinated by the Army Adventurous Training Group, the scheme uses outdoor activity to bolster leadership skills and individual mental and physical resilience.

The group provides training to a substantial number of service personnel each year.

Exercise Snow Warrior (Adaptive), a 10-day activity, employs military Adventurous Training, primarily skiing, to assist personnel who have an illness or injury in their rehabilitation.

This year, the exercise involved 12 students grappling with a variety of issues – from life-altering physical injuries impacting their mobility to neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, and mental health conditions.

Whether they were skiing novices or seasoned skiers adapting to their new personal circumstances, the primary objective was to enhance their physical and mental health to expedite their return to work or assist their transition to civilian life.

Mr Robertson said: "Having been a skier for a number of years whilst a policeman in Manchester and also a Reservist soldier with the Royal Military Police I heard about the opportunities to get involved in the adaptive arena about 14 years ago."

Upon witnessing people utilise sit skis and other adaptations, he felt inspired to participate.

This decision led him to undertake various courses and gain qualifications and experience.

He continued: "It has been really testing for me as a skier and has been very challenging and hard work mentally and physically, but I have now seen the independence and confidence given back to the students which has been amazing."

In honour of his dedication to adaptive skiing, Mr Robertson was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2022.

His role also extends to Disability Snowsport UK, where he teaches people with disabilities, as well as providing support to the Armed Forces Paralympic Ski Team.

He added: "Every time I am involved in the exercise you can see the apprehension and worried about what lay ahead.

"By the end of the training not only had their skiing skills got better but their overall outlook on life and their mental and physical resilience was immeasurably improved."

Colonel Nick Richardson, the officer in charge of the exercise, said: "Having been involved in this exercise for over a decade numerous individuals from across all three Services have benefitted from the efforts of the instructors such as Al including those who have suffered in car accidents, from acquired illnesses such as Huntingdon’s disease and from injuries sustained on operations such as in Afghanistan and Iraq resulting in limb amputations.

"The improvement in physical and mental health alongside confidence and skill levels that you see in the students every time is remarkable."