UDSS Director of Recruitment Guy Denison-Smith has successfully completed a Yukon Charitable Expedition with a team of UK veterans in support of British military charities.
The team, led by Guy and Major Jon Frith were completely self-sufficient for the entire 700km expedition and successfully accomplished the row within 7 days to raise money for Combat Stress, SSAFA and the Grenadier Guards Colonel’s Fund. Unique to the team was its composition. Not only were the participants all former Grenadier Guards soldiers, but the majority of the team also sustained life-changing injuries in recent conflicts from Northern Ireland to Bosnia to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Watch the video for an insight into the trip:
“Stepping back into the military mindset helped me find myself again. That close family feeling, is something I’ve not felt since leaving the Army. Going through those 7 days with 8 like-minded men with life-changing injuries was the best experience ever.” Tony
"An incredible trip packed with unforgettable moments. Our time in the Yukon was a mix of exhaustion, mosquitoes, flooding, fireside stories and breath-taking scenery. It was a great team that I think bonded in the hardship of those days on the river. I feel very lucky to have been part of such an important and worthwhile event.” Garth
You can still donate by clicking here.
Peter Hewitt, UDSS director and co-founder;
“Supporting service leavers and veterans after they’ve left the forces is at the heart of our company’s ethos. This support is delivered in numerous ways, both by placing individuals in executive commercial positions through our recruitment service and by empowering them to take on physical challenges for charitable causes. We wish Guy and his team the very best for their endeavour and in raising money for these extremely worthy causes”.
The planned route took the expedition along the Yukon River between Whitehorse and Dawson City in Northwest Canada mirroring the journey of the original settlers and prospectors who first ventured into this wilderness in the early 19th Century. Using open canoes much like these first pioneers, although made of Kevlar not wood, the team navigated their way through the Yukon waterways for approximately 16 hours per day, camping overnight on islands.
The Yukon River meanders through one of the last great wildernesses on the planet, passing hundreds of miles of vast forests, barren tundra and jagged mountain peaks. Mapping is almost non-existent. Locked in ice for 9 months of the year, at its widest the river is 22km and at its narrowest 300m with currents varying between 6 to 14mph. Their greatest dangers will come from the river’s false channels and tributaries and hidden obstacles. Wildlife, in the form of bears, elk and wolves, must be treated with respect.
Guy Denison-Smith, is the expedition’s team leader;
“Expeditions such as this provide both an intense physical and mental challenge which help the long-term recovery process of the wounded soldiers who are taking part. The expedition gave us all a sense of real achievement that serves to reinforce both self-confidence and sense of worth”.
Guy Denison-Smith is the Managing Director of Universal Defence and Security Solutions’ Recruitment division and works to place service leavers and veterans in executive positions across commercial sectors.
You can still donate. Show your support by donating via the team’s JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/yukon-700
We are now looking at another expedition in 2023. Watch this space.
