Award-winning BBC journalist Frank Gardner has been elected president of the Ski Club.
Security correspondent Gardner, who has reported for the BBC from all over the Middle East, was shot six times by terrorist at close range while on assignment in Saudi Arabia in 2004 but survived to return to work in a wheelchair and receive the OBE from the Queen the following year.
After his injuries he retrained to ski in a sitski and has since competed in the BBC Ski Sunday Slalom – coming last!
Speaking at the Ski Club AGM, Gardner said: "After I was shot I knew there were two things I just couldn’t give up – I had to keep skiing and scuba diving.”
Ski Club chairman Neil Britten said: “It’s an inspiring experience to meet Frank. He has tremendous energy and zeal and a significant public profile. We are delighted he is the new Ski Club president.”
Gardener added: “It is a great honour to join your community and club, a real privilege. I’m looking forward to being involved directly with the sport I love.”
By Linsey McNeill
