Blesma buckets brimming after a wonderful week

Thank you to everyone who supported Blesma Week 2017! You helped raise £60,000!

They climbed, they cycled, they baked… no event was too big or too small as Members, fundraisers and volunteers across the country supported our wounded veterans during Blesma Week.

The fourth annual week of fundraising and awareness raising, which this year ran from 05 to 11 June, saw Members climb a whopping 4,531 feet and supporters cycle an impressive 150 miles while others launched an 8,000-mile rowing challenge to help raise £60,000 for the Association. Elsewhere, schools held collections, cake sales and summer parties for the Association’s special week, which this year was sponsored by iSPARR.

Blesma Week is a great opportunity to bring Members, volunteers and supporters together to raise funds and catch up with one another. The momentum helps spread the word about Blesma.

Chief Executive Barry Le Grys

Yorkshire Three Peaks 

Blesma Week was kick-started by Members Kirk Bowett, Stu Pearson and Craig Howorth, who were joined by Blesma’s Chief Executive, Barry Le Grys, as they climbed the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.

During the one-day, 23-mile climbing challenge, Stu completed two of the peaks in 10 hours, whilst Kirk, Craig and Barry finished all three in 11 hours, before the team celebrated with a well-earned pint. “Craig and Stu, who are both leg amputees, drew a massive amount of support from other walkers along the route,” said Kirk, who lost his left arm in Iraq. “We tackled the challenging Pen-yghent first and the route took us over Whernside and finally over the extremely steep Ingleborough.” For leg amputees the challenge can prove a dangerous one. “It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be,” said Stu, who lost his left leg in Afghanistan. “As an above-knee amputee, I found the terrain very difficult, and picking a way uphill and downhill through the rocks was exhausting. At times, it was very dangerous so I made the decision not to attempt to peak Ingleborough.” Craig, who is also a leg amputee, added: “I struggled for the last three miles coming off Ingleborough. These are three tough climbs with a lot of walking in between. All the lads were great though, and we cracked on over tough ground and were glad to finish with a pint in the pub!”

Interservices T20 

Marylebone Cricket Club welcomed Blesma as their chosen charity for the Inter Services T20 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, where the Armed Forces’ best batsmen and bowlers showed off their skills.

The Army team maintained its recent stranglehold on the competition by defeating the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force to win their fifth straight T20 title – this time with the penultimate ball. Meanwhile, Blesma’s ‘bucketeers’ were joined by members of the Coldstream Guards who helped out with the fundraising and managed to collect a large amount for the Association. “The T20 was a great event for Blesma to be involved in. Thank you to the MCC for hosting us on the day and to all at the UK Armed Forces Cricket Association for choosing Blesma as their charity for 2017 and 2018,” said Community and Events Manager Zanika Fearon. Trustee and Blesma Member Andy Mudd was one of many who flocked to the ground with a collection bucket at the ready. “I enjoyed the day very much and I like the idea that we have a collection week as it’s my way of giving. It was a great day for meeting fellow Blesma Members and staff and, of course, it was great to be able to watch the cricket,” said Andy. “It was a good location too, as I could see the players, the crowd and what was going on from wheelchair level.

London to Birmingham bike ride 

On Friday 09 June, employees from prosthetics company Opcare were joined by Blesma Member Jez Scarratt on a gruelling 150-mile cycle ride from London to Birmingham.

The intrepid team met at 6:30am and set off for three laps of Richmond Park before heading off for the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre in Birmingham. “A massive thank you to Dom, Ben and Jez for taking on the epic 150-mile ride, and to all the employees for completing the London loop and the Oxford staff who completed a static bike challenge on the same day,” said Barbara Warner, Associate Director Fundraising. “Last but not least, thanks to Nicola and Andy who manned the support vehicle.” So far, the bike ride has raised more than £1,300 for Blesma Week!

Indoor Rowing 

On Thursday 08 June, Blesma Member Nigel ‘Woody’ Woodward launched an indoor rowing challenge at Abbey Wood.

Over the next few months, Bristol Poppy Appeal will aim to row 8,000 miles in support of Blesma and the 2017 Row2Recovery team, with donations also being split with the Royal British Legion. “I started the challenge by rowing the first 400 metres,” said leg amputee Nigel. “There was a great amount of support from those who work at Abbey Wood, and four veterans also came down from Gloucester.” Supporters rowed more than 100 miles on the first day, and the team will continue to chase their target until 02 November, the Bristol Poppy Day, when the remaining miles will be rowed. If you would like to make a donation, visit: http://uk. virginmoneygiving. com/team/TRBL 

Underground Collections 

For the second year running, Blesma took over three of London’s busiest Underground stations during Blesma Week. Volunteers and their collection buckets were out in force at the entrances to London Bridge, King’s Cross and Canary Wharf stations.

This year ‘Sorry, no change’ was no excuse as fundraisers came with a card machine! Thanks must go to the kind support of TFL, and in particular Rob Varney, TFL Charities Scheme Manager. Watch out – Blesma fundraisers will be taking to the Tube stations once again in July

Afternoon Tea 

Silver Sponsors of Blesma Week, Bolt Burdon Kemp, held an afternoon tea on Friday 09 June. Employees sold homemade sandwiches and cakes, raising £112.50 during the event.

The team are still selling Grand Prize Draw tickets and are aiming to break the £250 mark soon! “We had a fantastic day of tea, cake and fizz in aid of Blesma Week,” said Ahmed Al-Nahhas, Partner and Solicitor Advocate. “We act for injured Service personnel and are aware of the great work that Blesma does. It’s all for a very good cause and everyone enjoyed it – so much so, that we are planning to do it all over again!”

Curry Lunch 

The Landmarc HQ team enjoyed a curry lunch on Friday 09 June and raised £330 for Blesma in the process.

Employees each donated a minimum of £5 for their meal. The team includes a significant number of ex-military staff, including a colleague who has been supported by Blesma following life-changing injuries sustained in Iraq. “What better way to raise money during Blesma Week than to cook up a delicious curry lunch for the team?” said Fiona McKnight-Burton, Communications Coordinator. “Our catering partner, ESS, provided a wonderful spread of chicken and beef dishes, as well as samosas, onion bhajis and poppadoms. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to take a break from work and get together for a curry and a chat!”