veterans' charity R3 Cymru, founded by a Monmouth man,  is planning a dual slalom on Cairngorm on 2nd and 3rd March with the support of Skirider Ltd.

Skirider is a new skiing tool, with a flat base like a snowboard and a set of handlebars like a push scooter. The kit is thought to reduce the stress and strains on the rider's legs, knees and ankles.

Charity officials are trialling the idea of adaptive skiers, and amputees especially, taking on allcomers in a dual slalom on Skirider. In earlier trials it was found that Skirider lends itself to both adaptive and able bodied riders, levelling the snowfield.

Organisers are confident of good local attendance on the slope from the many enthusiastic Scottish skiers who will be there for both the Saturday practice session and the main competition on the Sunday. This will be very much a trial event just to prove the concept and allow all adaptive riders and those veterans suffering from various forms of post active service stress and depression to have fun in the snow, mix with other skiers and riders, exchange notes, experiences and stories, and thereby raise self esteem.

R3 Cymru was conceived as a means of cooperating with a number of other charities, providing follow on, cross referral, training and employment opportunities throughout Wales and the Marches.

Candidates are welcome from all over the UK to the forest headquarters near Chepstow. Skirider Ltd, have offered the charity total support covering the slalom's expenses and the modest entry fee will be given in its entirety to R3 without any deductions.

R3 would like to see representation from clubs, (especially those in Wales,) other charities and service associations joining in, having fun and seeing how this may be developed into an annual event.

The slalom will be running at the same time as the Cairngorm Mountain MV Festival (see http://www.mvfestival.com/snow">www.mvfestival.com/snow).

The paralympic ethos and legacy has not as yet, it would seem, percolated through to a wider winter sports environment in the sense of able bodied and disabled competing on equal terms, but this may be some sort of small beginning on domestic snow.

Sponsorship forms will be available upon request, in the event of any clubs, individuals, good causes or indeed companies wishing to espouse and develop the cause.

For more information email: andrewhubert@

r3cymru.org.uk or call 07428 707600.

The new R3 website is under construction and will be online in the very near future.