Wrights Mazda's newest recruit Ryan Gray – an ex-Serviceman from the frontline in Afghanistan – is inspiring the Norwich dealership to help raise awareness and money for Service personnel who have been injured and are no longer able to continue in the Armed Forces.

Ryan, now a sales executive at Wrights Mazda, was recruited by the Norwich dealership in Cromer Road through Mission Motorsport – a charity which aids the recovery and rehabilitation of those affected by military operations by providing opportunities through motorsport. The charity helps inspire and rebuild the confidence of ex-Service personnel and shows potential employers the qualities that make them suitable for a wide range of vacancies.

Russell Wythe, dealer principal at Wrights Mazda, said: 'We were approached by Mission Motorsport a little while ago to see if we had a vacancy for a Serviceman soon to be discharged from the Forces because of the injuries he had sustained in Afghanistan.

'After meeting Ryan we agreed he was exactly the right person for the job here at Wrights Mazda. A month later and he is a solid member of the team, adjusting well from life in the Service into a 'normal' job. As part of his rehabilitation, Ryan continues to train at the dealership until his discharge date from the Service.

'Employing Ryan has inspired us to help raise funds for organisations such as Mission Motorsport to give ex-Servicemen and women like him the training and opportunities they may need to ease back into civilian life. We recently had the opportunity to showcase the all-new Mazda6 at The Forum in Norwich and to raise awareness about a gruelling expedition which will see five men set off on April 1 to walk 180 miles in temperatures as low as minus 55C to reach the North Pole. The trek is raising funds for Mission Motorsport and Walking With The Wounded,' explained Russell.

'We had a lot of people coming up to us interested in finding out about the Mazda6, but also intrigued by the work that charities such as Mission Motorsport do. So far the trek has raised £4,769, which is a fantastic achievement.'

If you would like to support the trek and raise money for this cause visit the trek's Just Giving page – www.justgiving.com/cityendeavour – or visit www.cityendeavour.org to find out more about the expedition and to follow the team's progress.

The new Mazda6 Saloon and Tourer is on sale at Wrights Mazda. Petrol models cost £19,595 on the road for the 2.0-litre 145PS Saloon SEto £24,865 for the 2.0-litre 165PS Tourer Sport Nav. Diesel variants cost £21,795 for the 2.2-litre 150PS Saloon SE to £28,045 for the 2.2-litre 175PS Tourer Sport Nav Auto.

For more information visit Wrights Mazda in Cromer Road, Norwich, or telephone 01603 427011.