2016
The Blesma News for 2016 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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Walsall and District Branch
9 March 2016
The Branch enjoyed a really excellent Christmas lunch at the Shropshire 34 Members and guests present. Our main guest was Major “Bill” Billington, 2IC West Midlands Personnel Recovery Unit. We did invite his boss (Lt Col Steve Burton) but he was unavailable – probably preparing to take over his new post as BSO (North)! This was followed by some very sad news; the passing of two of our Members over the Christmas/New Year period. Roy Durose passed away on Christmas Day whilst in hospital. Roy was a keen supporter of the Branch, alway attending functions when he was able.
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Blesma on BBC Breakfast
13 February 2016
VIDEO: Did you catch Blesma on BBC Breakfast?
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World’s first all-amputee crew have successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean
4 February 2016
Team Row2Recovery, made up of four veteran amputees, have set a new world record by becoming the first all-amputee crew to row, unsupported, over 3,000 nautical miles from La Gomera to Antigua. They made it! The crew have spent 47 days at sea with a gruelling 2-hours on, 2-hours off routine to raise money for Blesma, Help for Heroes, The Endeavour Fund, and the
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Melvyn Auty MBE - obituary
2 February 2016
Melvyn Auty MBE passed away on 22nd January 2016. Having lost a leg below the knee and receiving damage to his other foot in Palestine during National Service, he became an active member of Blesma, spending more than 40 years as a Welfare Officer in South Yorkshire. Mervyn was recognised for his work in the 1998 New Year’s Honours list, when HM The Queen awarded him an MBE for his services to Blesma. This was one of his proudest moments. After retiring from work as an editor on the South Yorkshire Post and then from his Blesma duties he continued to take an active interest
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