News

Families of military veterans amputees call for greater support

Pioneering research has revealed that a radical new approach could improve the lives of ex-Service personnel and their families and create significant savings across the NHS.

Findings from a groundbreaking report released today (Monday, June 11), identify the need for changes in the way support is given to people with limb loss, their families and carers.

The challenge of coping with the physical and mental aspects of caring can put a tremendous strain on the family unit and they may feel lost and unsupported, the study highlights.

The project commissioned by Blesma and funded by The Forces in Mind Trust was undertaken by the Veterans and Families Institute for Military Research at Anglia Ruskin University.

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Armed Forces cricket showdown at Lord’s to benefit wounded veterans

This year’s Inter-Services T20 cricket tournament has chosen Blesma, The Limbless Veterans as its benefiting charity for the second year running.

The round-robin between the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force will take place at Lord’s in London on Thursday 14 June with the gates opening at 9am and the first match starting an hour later with former Corporal Gam Gurung, who lost his arm while serving with the Royal Gurkha Rifles, doing the coin toss. Play is expected to last until around 7.15pm.

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Injured Afghanistan war veteran takes on Nuclear Races for Military Charity

A former Para, who lost his leg while serving in Afghanistan, is taking on the Nuclear Rush this May to support Military Charity Blesma, the Limbless Veterans.

Michael Lewis, 34, from Northampton, will battle a 7k muddy obstacle course at Nuclear Races, Brentwood to say thanks for the help Blesma provided him after he lost his right leg.

In 2008, Michael was serving with 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan, when Michael and his platoon were engaged by the Taliban and during an intense fire-fight Michael was hit by friendly fire in his right leg, left knee, left arm and helmet. The blast led to the amputation of Michael’s right leg below the knee and he has lost some of the use in his left arm.

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Military Charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans seek people for fundraising week

A military charity that supports veterans and serving personnel who have lost limbs, or the use of limbs, are looking for people across the UK to sign up to Blesma Week and hold a fundraising event in their local area.

Blesma Week kicks off on Monday 28 May and will include two bucket collections at Canary Wharf and Kings Cross Underground stations. During the week of fundraising and awareness-raising, communities and companies all over the UK (and even overseas) are encouraged to get involved in a Blesma event or organise their own fundraising activity.

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A group of injured veterans are to perform in a series of epic outdoor performances this summer to mark the centenary of the end of WWI

A group of injured veterans are preparing to take part in a series of epic outdoor performances this Summer to mark the centenary of the end of WWI. The piece, entitled This Is Not For You is a Graeae Theatre Production, co-commissioned by military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans and 14-18 NOW, supported by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch), The Drive Project, National Centre for Circus Arts and Arts Council England.

This Is Not For You, part of 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, is an epic outdoor performance paying moving tribute to Britain’s wounded war veterans, men and women whose contributions to history often go unnoticed.

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Injured veteran, who lost his eye while serving in Afghanistan, takes on London Marathon in aid of Blesma

An injured former lance corporal, who lost his right eye while serving in Afghanistan, is taking on the London Marathon this weekend in aid of military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

David Chandler, 36, from Little Billing, Northampton will run 26 miles to thank Blesma for always being there when he needed them.

In 2009, David was serving with the Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan, when he was part of a Quick Reaction Force travelling to a request for assistance. His soldiers began getting too close together, meaning any blast or contact would have inflicted more causalities, and so he ordered them to space out.

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Military veteran to run London Marathon in aid of military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans

Military veteran Matt Bale, 28, from Fraddon, Cornwall is taking on the London Marathon in aid of Blesma to say thanks for the support they gave his friend who lost both his legs.

Whilst going through basic training to join the Royal Engineers in 2008, Matt met James Wilson and the pair built up a strong friendship. In 2011, Sappers Matt and James were deployed to Afghanistan and their paths separated when James took up a role as a lead searcher for IEDs and Matt took up a role in construction. Not long into the tour, James unfortunately stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device and lost both his legs.

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Afghanistan support

In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here