A significant grant from the Friends of Serve and Protect Community Fund gave the Intrepid Games Foundation the recognition needed for planning to begin for the first-ever national games dedicated to injured emergency services personnel.
The funding serves as a foundational investment in the creation of a national sporting games designed specifically for the emergency services community. Money is currently being held whilst the planning and development phase is underway, and it is hoped that the ambitious vision will be brought to life thanks to the new recognition of the need for such an event.
Ratifying a vision for recovery
An injury sustained whilst carrying out duties to the public is often a career – and life – altering experience for an individual who serves in the emergency services. Beyond the physical recovery, there is a significant psychological and social transition as they adapt to new limitations or changes. The Intrepid Games Foundation was established to ease this process, using the power of competitive sport to foster a sense of community, healing, and personal growth.
Kerry Snuggs, Founder of the Intrepid Games Foundation, noted how this specific grant has fundamentally changed the trajectory of the project. “The Funds that have been donated are a huge milestone for our organisation. It has ratified the recognition for a national games to be held for the emergency services.”
The ratification is a notable step for the Foundation. A secured starting fund has taken the initiative from an initial concept to a recognised priority. Financial backing acts as a validation of the need for such an event, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by injured police, fire, and ambulance personnel across the UK.
The catalyst effect of corporate interest
This recognition has allowed the Intrepid Games Foundation to have a greater influence on the wider community. In the sector of non-profits competing for funding, the first mover advantage is significant. When one organisation, such as Serve and Protect Credit Union commits itself to an initiative of this scale, it elevates the profile and other stakeholders and partners are more likely to take an interest.
The Intrepid Games Foundation has observed a marked change in how its mission is perceived by the broader corporate sector since the successful grant application. “With the support of Serve and Protect we have noticed a recognisable shift in interest from other companies,” Kerry affirmed.
This shift form of attention is instrumental in the long-term sustainability of such a sporting event. The Friends of Serve and Protect Community Fund has helped the Intrepid Games Foundation to gather the necessary momentum to attract further investment, ensuring that it can grow in scale and reach. Collaborative interest is what will eventually allow the Games to become a permanent, solidified fixture in the emergency services calendar!
Supporting those who have served
The Intrepid Games Foundation’s core mission is to celebrate and support the bravery of emergency service personnel injured in the line of duty, making a tangible difference in their lives. Camaraderie and team spirit are frequently overlooked, but they are at the heart of this profession. If life-changing injury occurs, that sense of belonging can become fractured.
A national games will be a route to reintegration. Participants will be provided with a platform through which they can reconnect with peers in an environment that celebrates what they can do, rather than focusing on what has been lost. The planning of these games involves deep consideration of accessibility, inclusive sports categories, and the specific rehabilitation needs of its community.
Kerry went on to express her gratitude for the role the credit union has played in making this possible: “We thank you for your support and making a difference to those who have been injured in our emergency services.”
The planning phase and building for the future
Because the Intrepid Games aims to be a national event, the current focus is on planning and preparation. Donated funds are being held and strategically deployed to support the logistics, such as sourcing a venue, health and safety protocols, athlete registration systems, and the procurement of specialised sporting equipment. As an emerging organisation, the Foundation is currently working toward a goal of securing £25,000 in total funding support to continue its work.
The Friends of Serve and Protect Community Fund contribution is playing a part in creating an event that is delivered to a professional standard that ensures a supportive, inclusive environment for injured emergency service personnel to gain a sense of community.
About the Intrepid Games Foundation
The Airedale Hospital & Community Charity Emergency Department Appeal aims to raise £150,000 to upgrade facilities, focusing on a revamped children’s waiting area, improved paediatric resuscitation, and better bereavement facilities. The project enhances patient care through specialised improvements supported by community fundraising efforts like raffles and charity events.
The Airedale Hospital & Community Charity is a registered charity, reg no. 1050730. For more information, click here.
About the Friends of Serve and Protect Community Fund
Friends of Serve and Protect is an incorporated association established for the benefit of individuals, organisations and communities served by Serve and Protect Credit Union. Funded by the Friends of Serve and Protect Lottery, Reg No – 4866, the Community Fund was established in 2024 to provide funding for projects and initiatives that support the greater community good of those who Serve and Protect. From wellbeing spaces to helping injured keyworkers through rehabilitation, the Community Fund helps make a difference to those who need it.
Funding is open to Serve and Protect members and must be for the direct benefit of the Serve and Protect community. For more information, click here.
