02/04/2026
Season round up and a few thoughts (part 2)
Happy birthday to the Alpine Foundation, twenty months old today and already over a million pounds raised.
First a salute to the originator/chairman Nick Robinson 🫡 and to two other BSA old boys, Sam Wrench and Luke Steyn, who were among the earliest contributors to get the snowball rolling 💎
However, the Alpine Foundation would never have advanced past infancy without the efforts of its primary caregivers (appropriately) Mr and Mrs Foster. Bravo, Neil and Juliet 👏🏼👏🏼
In 2022, after UK Sport turned its back on our mostly state-educated GB Alpine team racers it was imperative that a funding mechanism be put in place to channel private and corporate sponsorship direct to GB Alpine. Fundraising began in earnest and now, amazingly, not only is it happening but all income generated so far has been spent on our ski teams with 0% admin drainage. How is that possible? Good question. Those with experience of the charity sector will tell you it isn’t. The answer, where the Alpine Foundation is concerned, can be summed up in two words: Juliet and Foster. Pin a Pery Medal on this lady, Ski Club of Great Britain, please — a paragon among our sport’s esteemed volunteers.
To anyone in Juliet or Nick’s ambit and currently helping the Alpine Foundation, and to all of its financial contributors, whoever and wherever you are. Thank you 😇
To those undecided about whether or not to get involved and support GB Alpine through its charitable wing, please do. Every penny still counts 🙏🏼
Finally, to anyone from UK Sport reading this, the photo shows a Lancashire lad who chased a dream and beat the world at a major event. Contrary to your public statement soon after, GB Alpine can and does produce world class performance. Although we are doing our best as a sport to function and even to thrive without you, please note we currently have some amazing athletes who truly need and deserve your support and who we know can make our country proud 🇬🇧
