The People
A special community of people
““They are different people from different spheres of the military, but all have one thing in common, save being blown up by IEDs, all will tell you that racing has helped them stay alive.””
Over the years the Race of Remembrance has attracted a large number of celebrity drivers including six times Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, Top Gear presenter Chris Harris, Coronation Street’s Tony
Hirst, racing drivers Tom Onslow-Cole, Dario Franchitti MBE, Marino Franchitti, and motoring journalists Andrew Frankel, Richard Meadon, and Nick Trott to name but just a few and this year is no exception (you will just have to wait to find out who…)But it’s not about that. It’s about the Wounded, Injured, and Sick Service Leavers and Veterans, the beneficiaries of Mission Motorsport that make the weekend special.
In the pit garage and among the paddock, Mission Motorsport beneficiaries take up roles. Broken men and women. Each of them on a recovery journey, battling sometimes hidden wounds, seeking a life outside the military in which they can live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives. Some are not quite ready to tell their story and carry out their roles quietly, efficiently. Others are more open.
Solicit a “How are you?” in the Race of Remembrance paddock and you had better be ready to listen to the answer. Rarely is it, “I’m fine.” More often it’s, “I’m going through a divorce,” “I’m waiting for an operation,” “I’m really struggling with my mental health,” or, “I’m just pleased to be here.”
Our Beneficiary Race Drivers
This year, Mission Motorsport is supporting four new beneficiary drivers, who over the last few months have learned new car control skills and passed their Ards. Each one is on a journey of recovery and transitioned from military life to civilian. Read on to find out more…
The Royal Engineer
Alex served with the Royal Engineers for over 21 years, including service in Germany, Macedonia, Poland,Canada, Oman, Jordan, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.
In 2009, Alex was injured and sustained a fractured skull, bleed on the front left lobe of his brain and a completely severed ulnar nerve in his left arm. Through hard work and determination, Alex returned to service for another 6 years before he was injured again this time suffering life-changing injuries to his spine. Being out of action for so long, Alex’s mental health declined significantly, and he was subsequently diagnosed with complex PTSD.
Sadly, the extent of both his physical and mental injuries meant he was unable to continue in service. His career cut short; he was medically discharged in 2018. “When I was medically discharged, I found myself at a complete loss. I withdrew from the world and my family. My mental health deteriorated further, and I found myself in a dark place – I had lost the only career I had ever wanted and did not know how or what I was going to do. In January 2017 Mission Motorsport picked me up, supported me and offered me an opportunity to retrain as a Vehicle Mechanic and I jumped at the offer”.
However, his recovery journey has not been straightforward and his struggles with mental health has seen him shy away from anything military related. He has not participated in a remembrance service in two years and his medals and beret have remain packed away untouched.
Knowing him very well and observing his recovery journey from close by as a former employee at Silverstone and spouse of one of our own staff, we knew there was something missing from Alex’s life. So, Mission Motorsport decided to offer Alex the
opportunity to get involved in this year’s RoR to help in his recovery journey and give him the boost to his self-confidence and sense of purpose that we knew he so desperately needed.
His own words best sum up our decision … “ Remembrance time is an incredibly difficult time of year for me. Participating in RoR gives me has given me a real focus, boosted my confidence and given me something to look forward to. For the first time in a long time, I feel able to participate in a remembrance service, wear my medals and don my beret. My family say it has sparked a fire in my belly and slowly but surely they see the old Alex coming back. The fact that my kids are incredibly proud of me is the icing on the cake.”
The Marine
Alastair served in the Royal Marines for over 15 years, including service in Northern Ireland and on various ships and units throughout the world. He was medically discharged in 2016 from a lower limb injury and a few years later found himself at a Mission Motorsport track day at Goodwood.
His journey into and through civilian life has not always been easy but he found solace in engaging with the charity ever since that track day, taking part in events and supporting other beneficiaries. He has also taken advantage of some of the training provided by Mission Motorsport that has supported and helped him gain new skills and employment.
Alastair has been on the fringes of Mission Motorsport for a few years now and it was only at a recent karting event and chatting to members of staff, that Mission Motorsport realised that he could do with a lift and a sense of purpose.
Being given the opportunity to drive at Race of Remembrance is huge to Alastair. In his own words, “it’s not only a fantastic opportunity and a unique way to remember the fallen and those affected by service to their country but the build-up and preparations have provided me with the sort of boost I have been lacking in his my for the last few years, regaining some of my own self-confidence and belief”.
The Former Infantryman
Leon Grieff served 16 years as an armoured infantry soldier in 1st battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment. Throughout his career he completed tours of Africa, Eastern Europe, and the USA, including several deployments to Afghanistan as well as forming part of the mass covid testing team in Liverpool.
After 16 years of service, Leon decided to pave a new career that incorporated his love of cars and motorsport. Unsure of the industry and keen to find out more, Leon attended a Mission Motorsport event. Upon chatting with the team and discovering more about the qualifications offered by the charity’s training wing, it wasn’t long before he signed up to the IMI Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles.
Utilising his resettlement grant, Leon studied full time for a year completing the course in 2022. During this time Leon secured full time employment at his local Halfords Autocentre in Keighly – a job he very much enjoys and thrives at. Talking of his time as a student Leon said, “Mission Motorsport ignited my passion for motorsport and the drive to learn everything I could about mechanics. From not really knowing anything to becoming a fully qualified, competent mechanic, the MM team equipped me with the confidence and skillset to get a job with Halfords Autocentres.”
An exemplar to his peers and living proof that veterans can enjoy successful, fulfilling careers outside of the military, Leon is making his racing debut at Race of Remembrance in Anglesey. Part of a four-man driving team, he will be racing in the Mission Motorsport MX-5. Excited to be taking part in the event, Leon said, “It is an incredible honour to be given the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious event. Mission Motorsport has been really welcoming. To race is a dream come true, to race at Race of Remembrance is extra special.”
The Former RLC Soldier
Danny, a soldier in the British Army joined the RLC in 1998. In 2003 during a tour of Northern Ireland, Danny was sadly injured. Not one to give up, he recovered and enjoyed a long and varied military career until he took voluntary redundancy in 2012. After leaving the forces, Danny struggled with his mental health and was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD.
He first became involved in Mission Motorsport when, through a friend was persuaded to attend one of the charity’s karting events in Newcastle. Enjoying the supportive atmosphere and forming strong friendships with others, Danny soon became a regular attendee and has flourished.
Growing in confidence, Danny was soon seen as a key beneficiary volunteer and is often found supporting the ops team in the delivery of events. Talking about his involvement with the charity he said, “Leaving the forces proved to be a very dark time in my life but with the support of my family and Mission Motorsport that’s changed. I’ve had the best time. Mission Motorsport has helped me to find a sense of purpose again - helping out at events and seeing the smiles on other veterans’ faces is priceless and I look forward to each and every event.”
Having attended previous Race of Remembrance events, Danny has played pivotal roles in pit crews for Mission Motorsport teams. This year, for the first time, he will be getting behind the wheel and driving. Talking about the upcoming event he added, “Race of Remembrance is an event like no other – it’s physically and mentally tough but equally the most enjoyable. Remembrance Day is normally a struggle for me, but being surrounded by likeminded people in similar circumstances provides me with the reassurance I need to get through it. It’s definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am honoured to have been selected as a driver.”
Danny will form part of the four-man team driving the Mission Motorsport Citroen C1.
The Former AGC Soldier
Linda married to a former Royal Engineer, joined the British Army in 2000 first with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment before transferring to the AGC (SPS) in November 2017. During her career, she completed tours of Gibraltar, Germany and an operational tour of Afghanistan.
In 2018 Linda was medically discharged after being diagnosed with complex PTSD, anxiety, depression and rheumatoid arthritis. Full time carer for her medically discharged husband, and mother to two boys, one of whom has special needs Linda’s confidence in herself had collapsed as her horizons shrank.
Having locked herself away from the world she was engaged through her passion for Formula One when she particpaed as a racemaker. Lacking confidence, Linda over the last couple of years has beaten her demons, and is now more confident and able to engage with people. She’s taken taken part in a variety of the Charity’s events constantly pushing herself. As part of a team piloting a Morgan in a precision driving display, she’s driven in front of crowds of thousands at Autosport, beccome a hyper-miling world record holder and represents the Combined Services in eSports – online racing.
In 2021 Linda was employed as an integral part of a veteran tri-service team testing and developing the new Morgan Super 3 in great secrecy at the Millbrook Proving Ground. Working closely with the engineering development team she was a key part of vehicle durability testing, as well as handling development for sign off.
“Without the support of Mission Motorsport I would have never had the confidence to carry on with my recovery. Mission Motorsport is now part of my extended family.”
Linda made her racing debut at Race of Remembrance in 2021, forming part of a team of four driving the first hand-control race Morgan Plus four. This year, she returns to Race of Remembrance forming part of the race team competing in the Mission Motorsport C1