The Skiers Trust, supporting British skiers and snowboarders

The changes to gift aid proposed in the budget will seriously damage the income of charities as reported on BBC 2 Newsnight ‘the charity tax undermines the big society David Cameron wants to create. Donors cannot benefit from the tax repaid to charities but the government are suggesting that they can, but it reduces the amount of tax paid at the higher rate so this money should also go to charities. To suggest that the reduction in donations to £50k or 25% of income would increase the amount of tax paid by donors is an attempt to trick the public into believing that they are increasing the tax on the rich, this is not the case.

There are other means of reducing taxation but income is declared and taxed accordingly and to suggest that income tax can be reduced to 10p in the pound is confusing income tax with other tax incentives and has nothing to do with income tax. This charade must be exposed, the future charity donations depend on it. We must campaign for the higher rates of tax to be refunded to charities and not returned to the donor under the current gift aid system. As Tony Blair said last night ‘money given to charities is lost money and should not be confused with tax avoidance’.

In Britain the snow is not readily available down the road or at the local sports centre. Artificial ski slopes can lack the challenge of the high mountains for the more adventurous. Since reaching the snow is expensive, it is clear that skiing simply costs more than other sports. This is where we come in, helping youngsters have the real mountain experience. If, like us, you, your family and friends have had enormous pleasure from skiing, why not join us in helping others to enjoy the sport as well? With this in mind the Trust hopes that every keen skier will soon be sporting a Skiers Trust badge.

We would like to increase the number of grants available to organisations and individuals and your help will enable us to do this.

Mission Statement

In an increasingly urban society, it is imperative to offer young people an activity that develops their initiative, individuality and courage. In the mountains, the skill and determination of the individual are pitted against the elements, and therein lies the attraction and challenge. Aspects of self-discipline, personal responsibility and leadership qualities are the benefits of the mountain experience. Thus, skiing fulfils a need which is fundamental, and the importance of such a challenge has never been so urgent as it is today. Skiing is no longer restricted to snow rich areas. Artificial ski slopes and more recently indoor snow slopes, play an increasing part in the provision of sports facilities in urban areas, opening up opportunities to many more children which were almost unattainable in the past, skiers progress to the mountains from these initial steps.