2017
The Blesma News for 2017 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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Injured veterans join forces for Blesma 100
15 April 2017Blesma 100 sets off on May 6th 2017 A former soldier seriously injured when a car ploughed into his foot patrol is raising awareness of Blesma. Jonathan Bell was paralysed from the upper chest, suffered serious head injuries and has had to have one of his feet amputated. He, along with a number of other soldiers injured in the incident, discovered a love
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Jonathan Bell is our newest ambassador
6 April 2017Blesma is pleased to announce that Jonathan Bell is the Association’s most recent ambassador. Jonathan has been a Member since 2006, before which he served in the 1st Battalion, The Green Howards, completing several tours of Northern Ireland. In his spare time, Jonathan is a keen hand-cyclist and has played a pivotal role in a number of Blesma’s cycling activities including Soldier Ride UK, the Battlefield Bike Ride, and the Blesma 100. “I feel really honoured to have been asked to become an ambassador,” said Jonathan, 52, from Surrey. “My role will involve encouraging more people to
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Veterans' Gateway
4 April 2017As part of the Gateway Strategy, the Royal British Legion is working to make it easier for those we support to understand and use our services by working in collaboration and partnership with other organisations. The Veterans’ Gateway is the first step in this journey. Veterans’ Gateway aims to be the first point of contact for veterans or their families seeking information, advice and support. What is the Veterans’ Gateway?In November 2016 the Ministry of Defence
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Veterans and service personnel to benefit from £9m investment in new and improved NHS mental health services
3 April 2017NHS England is set to launch (April 1) a brand new mental health service which has been specially tailored to support and treat ex-armed forces veterans and service personnel who are approaching discharge. The newly commissioned £9m service, known officially as the NHS transition, intervention and liaison (TIL) veterans’ mental health service, will act as a front door to a range of mental health services across the health and care system for 17,500 people over the next three years. Different levels of specialist treatment, support and healthcare exper
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