Battle Back, the UK military initiative set up to rehabilitate British soldiers injured in active service, is to join forces with the British Army Open-Water Swimming Squad in a 41 mile relay swim around Jersey.

The swimmers will be up against the Jersey Long-Distance Swimming Club and money raised from the relay will go to Holidays for Heroes Jersey, which provides  breaks  for wounded service personnel who have been injured mentally or physically whilst on active duty. It gives the soldiers and their families a free week away.

Battle Back, set up in 2008 at Headley Court, gives wounded service personnel the opportunity to engage in adaptive physical activities with others who are experiencing similar injuries, providing them with the sense that their disabilities need not mark the end of physical challenges. The focus is very much on what can be done as opposed to what can’t, which can drastically improve a wounded soldier’s confidence as they engage in active life once again.

Wounded service personnel can participate in a range of physical activities including water skiing, ski training, diving and kayaking.

Battle Back also works closely with the British Paralympic Team to encourage those who show a particular talent for a certain sport to join their Paralympic Development programmes.

The Battle Back relay around Jersey will take place on 18th July 2011

Holidays for Heroes Jersey http://www.h4hjersey.org.je/