FOR 86-year-old care home resident Neil Kirk, skiing has been a lifelong passion in every meaning of the word.

For decades, Mr Kirk had been more than a keen skier, regularly taking holidays to slopes around Europe to experience the thrill of the icy cold air and the skis underneath his feet.

A stroke 12 years ago greatly limited Mr Kirk’s physical faculties, but for his 86th birthday, the Alderwood Care Home resident got a taste of the good old days when he was given a special present in the form of 90-minute ski lesson with Disability Snowsports UK (DSUK)

Hitting the slopes at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead earlier this month, Mr Kirk could use tailored equipment so that he could safely enjoy the slopes and relive the experience which for so many years had been one of life’s great pleasures.

Gazette: Seated - a specialist instructor helps Neil down the slopeSeated - a specialist instructor helps Neil down the slope (Image: Alderwood Care Home)

Mr Kirk was accompanied by a specialist instructor from DSUK, James Sterry, who said the 86-year-old was still able to control some of the movements of the skis.

He said: “It was great to ski with Neil and give him the opportunity to enjoy Snowsports again. We skied in one of our sit skis which meant I was in control, but Neil was still able to influence the skiing.

“We hope to see him again and look forward to meeting some of the care home’s other residents very soon.”

Mr Kirk was in no doubt the experience had been a real highlight.

Gazette: Keen - Neil Kirk had been an avid skier over the yearsKeen - Neil Kirk had been an avid skier over the years (Image: Alderwood Care Home)

He said: “I loved every minute – what a way to spend my birthday!”

Home manager Nicola Leaney added Mr Kirk’s improving health since moving to Alderwood Care Home, in Essex Hall Road, Colchester, meant he had been able to give sit skiing a go.

She said: “Even in his 60s and 70s, Neil remained physically active and was an enthusiastic skier, and we were keen to reintroduce a pastime into Neil’s life that he had once loved so much.

“The excitement and pure exhilaration on Neil’s face was a joy to see, and we are already planning his next ski lesson.”