On Saturday 11th October 2025, like most Saturday’s at the Snozone in Milton Keynes, it was alive with energy – families racing down slopes, instructors guiding eager learners, and the usual weekend buzz filling the air. But amidst the flurry of activity, something quietly remarkable was unfolding.

Ben Gallagher, adaptive skier and Mintridge Foundation mentor, was on the snow with his skis, standing beside a student experiencing the slopes for the very first time. Ben wasn’t skiing beyond what the student was doing – his focus was entirely on support. Alongside another instructor, he offered encouragement, advice, and the kind of reassurance that only someone who’s faced similar challenges can provide. Ben’s story is one of resilience. After sustaining serious injuries in 2019 while in the military and undergoing extensive surgery, he was left with greatly reduced mobility and strength in his left arm. Yet his determination to stay active in sports he once thought were out of reach has become a powerful source of inspiration which is what led him to his ambassadorial role with Team Mintridge.

That inspiration had already begun to take root. Ben first visited Prince William School in December, alongside fellow Mintridge athletes, to deliver a mentoring programme made possible by the Jacobs Futura Foundation. The initiative supported 10 mentors and 10 mentees, creating meaningful connections and opportunities for growth. It was during this school visit that Ben met a teenager from Northamptonshire who lives with arthrogryposis of the upper limbs — a condition that affects joint movement and muscle development.

Ben mentored the student over the following six months, and in his own words:

“Mentoring over the past few months has shown me just how life-changing Mintridge Ambassadors can be for young adults. The student I am mentoring lives with a disability affecting his upper limbs, but his passion for sport is unstoppable. When I mentioned I was an adaptive ski instructor, his interest in snow sports grew with each session. His determination to ‘have a go’ was inspiring. I made it my mission for us to finish our six-month programme on snow. This could give him the skills and confidence to ski or snowboard independently with his family and friends, proving that his disability doesn’t define his limits.”

Ben discussed the idea with The Mintridge HQ, which led to a further collaboration with us, The Johnny Reynolds Foundation, having worked together on previous programmes in Northamptonshire. This led to Ben sending us, The Johnny Reynolds Foundation, an application asking for funding to support the student with some ski lessons at the Snozone where he himself skis. Thanks to our funding, six ski lessons were secured, opening up an exciting new opportunity for the student. We feel truly fortunate that support like this is available. To offer extra encouragement and support, Ben attended the first lesson alongside the student.

While the rest of Snozone carried on in its usual rhythm, few would have noticed the momentous thing happening nearby – a quiet triumph, a spark of belief, and the kind of connection that can change a life.

Moments like these confirm that sport is more than competition – it’s a bridge to confidence, inclusion, and opportunity. And sometimes, all it takes is one person believing in another to open the door to a future full of possibility.

We’re excited to see how the next five sessions unfold and where the power of mentoring can lead. With each lesson, confidence grows, skills develop, and a sense of belonging takes root. These sessions aren’t just about learning to ski – they’re about discovering what’s possible when someone is supported, encouraged, and truly seen. It’s in these consistent, meaningful moments that real change happens – not just in ability, but in self-worth and vision for the future.

This is just the beginning, and we look forward with hope and anticipation to the journey ahead.

Thank you to the Mintridge staff for enabling the day to run so smoothly! We are incredibly grateful to the  Mintridge Foundation for their unwavering support – collaborating with Mintridge in Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas is a testament to what can happen when vision and opportunity meet.

Particular thanks to Ben Gallagher for his determination in making this come alive for the Student and his contacts at the Snozone, with special thanks to Michael for his time and energy coming in during his Annual leave to take the ski lesson and the rapport he developed with the student straight away. He will be the instructor for the whole course of lessons to give further confidence, trust and continuity.

If you would like to find out more about the Mintridge Foundation and their incredible mission, please follow this link to their website: https://www.mintridgefoundation.org.uk/