Jump4Heroes honoured at new Army Sports Awards
30 April 2010
Members of Jump4Heroes (J4H), The Royal British Legion's extreme human flight display team, were recognised by the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir David Richards, at an awards ceremony at the MoD in Whitehall, on Wednesday 28 April.
The J4H skydivers were part of the Army Canopy Piloting Team (ACPT) that won the team prize at the first of what will be annual Army Sports Awards, established to recognise outstanding sporting achievement.
At the awards ceremony, General Richards said that sport was very important to the Army as there was a direct correlation between sporting excellence and the qualities it brings out and military operational success.
Major Alastair Macartney, team leader of the ACPT and J4H, said "It is fantastic to receive this new award, after competing so hard at world level. The CGS recognised our sporting achievement and the charitable benefit of what we do. We jump to support those who support us – through J4H we use our specialist skills to promote the work of The Royal British Legion and look forward to continuing to do this with exciting events in future."
Members of the Army Canopy Piloting Team, including members of Jump 4Heroes, pictured with their team prize awards and CGS General Sir David Richards, at the first Army Sports Awards.
L to R: Cpl Deane 'Smudge' Smith, Major Alastair Macartney (team leader), CGS Gen Sir David Richards, WO1 Spencer Hogg, Cpl Stuart Storey. Photo courtesy of Soldier Magazine/Crown Copyright
Stuart Gendall, Director Corporate Communications at the Legion, said, "We at the Legion are absolutely delighted that members of the Jump4Heroes team have been honoured in this way. They are outstanding sports people, true professionals and amongst the very best in the world in their field. Our support for J4H celebrates this achievement and the best qualities of the Armed Forces, while they in turn recognise our support of the Serving community, in particular the Afghan generation and their families."
Media contact:
Susan Cottam
PR Officer, The Royal British Legion
T: 020 3207 2477 M: 07775 017 889 E: scottram@britishlegion.org.uk
