2016
The Blesma News for 2016 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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Amputee gets a ‘leg up’ from Blesma to climb Denali Mountain.
16 June 2016
Soldier Terry Byrne took on the challenge of climbing North America’s tallest mountain this month. Thanks to the support from Blesma, the Limbless Veterans charity, Terry was able to join the Adaptive Grand Slam team, a group of disabled adventurers trying to summit the highest peaks on 7 continents and walking unsupported to the North and South Poles. In August 2008, whilst Terry was serving in the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan, he stood on an IED and suffered severe injuries. His injuries resulted in a right leg
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Somerset CC host Blesma
15 June 2016
Volunteers and Members from Blesma were invited to Somerset County Cricket Club’s T20 match against Surrey on Friday 10 June to raise money and awareness of the charity to the Club’s supporters. Double amputee Simon Harmer was the Guest of Honour and took part in the coin toss at the beginning of the match. “It’s been an absolutely incredible day,” he said. “I’ve been made to feel really welcome by the Club and the spectators. It’s an amazing ground and a great group of people." "It was nice to speak to Jim Allenby at the toss and he asked me about what had happened to me an
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Prepare to be Blown Away as Blesma collaborates with amputee's clothing brand
14 June 2016
A clothing brand created by a limbless veteran is donating sales from each sold item to a military charity. Simon Harmer’s clothing brand Blown Away is generously donating 15% from each sold item to Blesma, The Limbless Veterans because of the support they have provided Simon and hundreds of other amputee soldiers. “I wanted to give back to a military charity who had helped me when I needed it,” said Simon. “Blesma were really interested in how I was going to help and I just think the work they do to highlight amputee issues is amazing. I feel the help and support they provide
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Why Support Blesma Week? Arthur's story
3 June 2016
Arthur English MBE joined the territorial army in London at 19 years old, just two years before WW2 was declared. He was part of the Rangers 9th battalion Kings Royal rifle call. Now 97 years old Arthur recalls the four years he spent abroad before a terrific incident led to the amputation of both his legs and his return home. “We left for Egypt in 1940 and from there travelled to Greece. We went up to the Yugoslavia border but were pushed back by the German Panzers. We were evacuated by a naval destroyer and went to Crete. We lost two thirds of the battalion in Crete eit
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