Model railway enthusiast Mark Bascombe thought his life-long hobby was over when he lost all his fingers, but thanks to Blesma’s support his collection is looking more impressive than ever before.

In 2016, former Fusilier Mark was busy constructing a purpose-built room to house his hobby when he dropped a brick on his hand, losing his three remaining fingers.

“I was gutted! I’d been into model railways since I was three years old but didn’t think I’d be able to continue with the hobby,” said Mark, who initially lost both his legs and a number of fingers as a result of frostbite and Buerger’s disease. Mark gave up on his beloved hobby until a routine visit from his Support Officer Steve Fraser in May 2018.

“Steve is my hero. Once he saw the building, he spearheaded a project to get funding that would allow me to finish the job. He also put me in touch with the Bentley Model Railway Group in Calne, who showed me different ways that I could operate the layout without fingers.

“I have to use some unorthodox methods, like using my chin, belly and the palms of my hands to cut parts and build the kit, but I’m adapting!”