The Armed Forces Network (AFN) coupled with our membership team and the Teddies (TLC) team spent the day at the Croft racing circuit in Darlington in August to support Mission Sport, providing valuable volunteering time and using the opportunity to highlight our organisation.

Mission Sport was launched at Thruxton Motor Circuit on 1st March 2012 in order to help those affected by military operations by engagement through sport, the charity recognised from the outset the astonishing inspirational and healing potential of sport.  Motorsport is unique in that the disabled compete against the able bodied on a level playing field – there is no separate category for disability.  Engineering allows us to adapt the vehicle, not the sport, and that leveller is a strong draw that the charity harnesses to help those who may be hard to reach – connecting them with excellent opportunities for second careers, beyond the military.

ProvGM John Thompson and our Armed Forces Committee chairman Richard Tucker met up with their CEO James Cameron to discuss how Freemasons here in Durham can support future events.

James having served 17 years in the Royal Tank Regiment, he returned from his last tour of Afghanistan in 2011 determined to help those whose lives he had seen impacted by military service. A Grade A race instructor, his enthusiasm and vision – to harness the power of sport for the wider good – drives the organisation to this day. His determination to put duty of care for those in need first, sets the tone for everything that the charity does. He embodies Post Traumatic Growth and works hard to promote the same in others.

The weather was kind on the day and many veterans and their family members took to the track and were driven at high speed by expert racing drivers in a range of high performance cars
John thanked everyone for giving their time to support such a wonderful organisation and to those veterans who have given so much for their country.

Stronger Together