Latest news with #HelptheHeroes
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sports event 'celebrates strong female veterans'
A veteran who has set up a series of sporting events dedicated to women who have served in the armed forces has said sport was a "lifeline" when she was medically discharged. Gemma Kemble-Stephenson signed up at the age of 17 and served as a medic in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 18 years. After suffering a spinal injury in 2018, she found taking part in adaptive sports through the Help the Heroes charity was a big part of her recovery and the difficult transition to civilian life. She now works for the charity and is leading its first female-only series of sports taster sessions in Liverpool this weekend to "celebrate strong women" who have served. The event, at Liverpool John Moores University, is part of the charity's drive to encourage more female veterans to get active. It will offer a number of adaptive sports taster sessions including netball, yoga, power-lifting, boccia, and rowing. The charity said Kemble-Stephenson, the current World's Strongest Disabled Woman and a para powerlifter and indoor rower, was an inspiration to other women looking to reignite their passion for sport. Kemble-Stephenson, from Neath, Wales, said: "We know the power of sport to your mental and physical wellbeing. "Many women join the armed forces because they enjoy being active... but when they leave that outlet can be taken away from them." She said it would be a "safe space" for women "to dip their toe back in the water and try out a range of different sports". "They will be able to connect with like-minded people, too," she added. The 43-year-old said women are set to travel from all over the country to take part, adding that when the weekend was over they would "go home feeling positive and energised". The charity has a programme of sports and social activities for former service personnel as part of its recovery programme. The community sports series was launched three years ago but the charity hopes this latest event is the first of many held exclusively for women. Kemble-Stephenson added: "The majority of people take part just for the fun, but we have had some people go on to complete our coaching academy course and represent their country at Invictus Games, Paralympics and Commonwealth competitions." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. Liverpool John Moores University Help for Heroes
BBC News
08-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Liverpool sports event to 'celebrate strong female veterans'
A veteran who has set up a series of sporting events dedicated to women who have served in the armed forces has said sport was a "lifeline" when she was medically Kemble-Stephenson signed up at the age of 17 and served as a medic in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 18 suffering a spinal injury in 2018, she found taking part in adaptive sports through the Help the Heroes charity was a big part of her recovery and the difficult transition to civilian life. She now works for the charity and is leading its first female-only series of sports taster sessions in Liverpool this weekend to "celebrate strong women" who have served. The event, at Liverpool John Moores University, is part of the charity's drive to encourage more female veterans to get will offer a number of adaptive sports taster sessions including netball, yoga, power-lifting, boccia, and rowing. 'Safe space' The charity said Kemble-Stephenson, the current World's Strongest Disabled Woman and a para powerlifter and indoor rower, was an inspiration to other women looking to reignite their passion for from Neath, Wales, said: "We know the power of sport to your mental and physical wellbeing."Many women join the armed forces because they enjoy being active... but when they leave that outlet can be taken away from them."She said it would be a "safe space" for women "to dip their toe back in the water and try out a range of different sports". "They will be able to connect with like-minded people, too," she added. The 43-year-old said women are set to travel from all over the country to take part, adding that when the weekend was over they would "go home feeling positive and energised".The charity has a programme of sports and social activities for former service personnel as part of its recovery programme. The community sports series was launched three years ago but the charity hopes this latest event is the first of many held exclusively for added: "The majority of people take part just for the fun, but we have had some people go on to complete our coaching academy course and represent their country at Invictus Games, Paralympics and Commonwealth competitions." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sixth form students raise hundreds with baking challenge
A cookie baking challenge held by a group of sixth form students has raised hundreds of pounds for charity. The Faringdon Community College sixth formers raised £661 for various charities on January 29 as part of their Personal Development Day. The Year 12s and 13s were tasked with baking and selling cookies for their chosen charities, with the team that raised the most money being declared the winner. War Child, Help the Heroes, and various cancer charities will all benefit from the fundraiser. Lisa Foley, student manager, said: "This activity allows students to demonstrate teamwork, organisational skills, and creativity. "I am so proud of our sixth form students for the remarkable amount that they have raised and their approach to charitable endeavours." Headteacher Jonathan Dennett added: "The sixth form students at Faringdon Community College participate in a wide variety of extra-curricular and social opportunities that hone the skills that will help them to succeed in the future." During the year, four Personal Development Days are organised by the school. They include a university visit, budgeting advice from independent financial advisors, and a visit to the UCAS convention, as well as the baking challenge. Applications are now open for students who wish to join the sixth form at Faringdon Community College in September 2025. Faringdon Community College is a mixed comprehensive school with more than 1,400 students.
