Pushing their limits: Meet the London Marathon team

This year, 12 people have braved the 26.2 mile challenge that is the London Marathon for our wounded veterans. We've been speaking to them and asking the famous question: What's your first treat once you've finished the Marathon?

Meet our Blesma supporters:

Blesma Member Luke Delahunty

• Luke, 44, from Buckinghamshire

• Third Marathon

• Luke is taking part in the Marathon for Blesma to say thank you for the support Blesma have given him over the last few years through rehabilitation activities and grants for home adaptations. 

In 1996, Luke was serving in the RAF when he was involved in a road traffic accident. The accident left Luke paralysed from the chest down. Luke will be competing in the Day Chair London Marathon heat.

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race? "I normally head straight to the pub for a pint or two. Then I'd love some rest for a few days!"

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LukeDelahunty

Clare Phillips

• Clare, 43, from Plymouth
  
  
• First Marathon
  
  
• Clare is running for Blesma to say thank you for the support they gave her father, Tom Gowar.

Tom, now 77, served in Royal Sussex Regiment. In 2006, after his service, he was involved in a car accident which resulted in the amputation of his right leg in 2010.

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race? "A big pizza and seeing family at the finishing line!"

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Clare-Phillips-Blesma 

Sergeant Dai Smoldon and Corporal Dickie Baker

• Dai, 44, and Dickie, 28, from Norfolk
  
  
• Dai and Dickie both work at RAF Armed Forces Careers office.
  
  
• First Marathon

The duo is supporting Blesma to say thanks for the support they gave Blesma Member and friend Hannah Campbell after she was injured in Iraq.

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race?

Dai: "A strong pint and cake."

Dickie: "A weekend off from running! I want to be able to run because I want to again, not because I have to!"

https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/Miles4blesma

Sonja Chenier

• Sonja, 43, from Colchester
  
  
• First Marathon

Sonja is running for Blesma after seeing how beneficial the charity’s work is whilst on rehabilitation activity with husband, and also Blesma Support Officer for Prosthetics, Brian Chenier.

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race? A long cold lager – she hasn’t drunk a single drop of alcohol since the New Year.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sonja-Chenier1 

Garry Ward

• Garry, 48, from Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottingham
  
  
• First Marathon

Garry is running for Blesma as the charity have helped a member of his family and one of his work colleagues, who is a Blesma Member and former support officer for the charity. The charity have supported his family member Jack Hawksley after he lost his legs in Afghanistan in 2012.

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race? "A pint as I gave up alcohol at Christmas to take the Marathon and training more seriously!"

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Garry-Ward  

Dean Choules

• Dean, 39, from Chelmsford, Essex
  
  
• First Marathon

Dean is running for Blesma to raise money for our work and to tick off a bucket list item.

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race? "A proper burger, chips and lots of pints!"

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Dean-Choules1

Graham Webster

• Graham, 43, from Camberley
  
  
• First Marathon

Graham decided to run for Blesma after hearing about the charity through his work, Niche Communications, and liked the work Blesma do to support people.

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race? "A few drinks with my football teammates as they have a cup final on the same day."

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/G-webster 

Nick Crussell

• Nick, 39, from Rayne, Essex
  
  
• Sixth Marathon

Last year Nick’s department at HSBC raised money for Blesma by taking on the 3 peaks with Blesma Member Kirk Bowlett. Nick wanted to continue the support by running the Marathon.

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race? "A Thai takeaway with my feet up on the sofa!"

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/crussellmarathon 

Gail Woods

• Gail, 51, from Addlestone, Surrey
  
  
• First Marathon

Gail is running for our wounded veterans after hearing and getting involved with the charity when her son, Jordan, worked for Blesma after University.

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race? "A glass of Prosecco"

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gail-Woods 

Steve Lamb

• Steve, 47 from Coventry.

• First Marathon but ninth time of entering the ballot!

Steve is running for Blesma after meeting friends on holiday whose family worked for Blesma.   

What are you looking forward to most once you finish the race?  “A nice cool pint or 10 as I’ve gave up since New Year’s day to focus wholeheartedly on this run!”

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Steve-Lamb24 

Hernan Gonzalez Merlani 

• Hernan, 33.

Hernan is running for Blesma after his ccolleagues at HSBC, took part in the 3 peaks challenge for Blesma. He researched more about Blesma and loved what we do!

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Hernan-Gonzalez-Merlani

Are you inspired? Apply for a Blesma London Marathon charity place