Our limbless and injured veterans need your support now as much as ever

In light of the current circumstances around COVID-19, many events that raise vital funds to support Blesma’s important work helping injured veterans and their families have been forced to cancel. This naturally puts a strain on our fundraising work and at times like these, it is important that we come together and support each other through what is to be a time of uncertainty.

As everybody is aware the pandemic has been with us for some time now and is set to have even more impact in the coming weeks, especially on vulnerable people.

Here at Blesma we are continuing delivery of services to our Members and their families. with even more emphasis on tackling loneliness and isolation.

We want to make sure that our Members, especially those most susceptible and isolated, know that we and you, our devoted supporters, are still there for them.

Today and in the weeks to come, our Membership will continue to receive the practical, emotional and financial support from our incredible Blesma Support and Outreach Officers as it always does. Blesma will continue to do all that it can to support its Members with their needs, as always at the forefront of our incentive.

Where the current pandemic cuts across our usual ways of working, we will quickly adapt and innovate, and utilise the goodwill of our community to make sure all are safe in the uncertain weeks ahead.

We have put in place a process whereby all of our Members will be contacted even more regularly by our welfare teams across the U.K with face to face visits replaced by virtual ones, to ensure they are kept well. The team are organising a plethora of virtual events and classes; from bake offs to virtual coffee mornings to keep morale high and Members connecting, with vital grants and equipment still being delivered as far as government advice allows.

The mental wellbeing of Members in isolation, with some completely alone, is also at the front of Blesma’s offer of support. We already know that our Blesma Connects app is helping to bridge the gap in face to face contact between Members, ensuring that they can remain connected with the Association and with each other while growing with modern times.

Blesma is an Association founded on a strong sense of community. Resilience and the Armed Forces camaraderie is needed more than ever for our most vulnerable, injured and limbless veterans.

This work cannot continue without your valuable support.

As quickly as our Members needs are shifting, we are adapting, which includes how we are asking our supporters to fundraise for our limbless and injured veterans.

It’s important to remain safe within the guidelines from the NHS and government at this time, but you can still reach your fundraising goals, or make a new pledge to do good during isolation. Below are some examples of easy indoor fundraisers.

1. Create a Facebook Fundraiser to commemorate your special occasions and raise money while you stay in touch with friends.
   
2. Get your Boots on for Blesma – keep your mental wellness and fitness up from the comfort of your home with a military workout designed by one of our Blesma Members.
   
3. Play the Make a Smile Lottery- We've already had seven Blesma winners this year!
   
4. Love eBay? Now you can give by choosing selected products when you shop. Or, if you’re a seller, you can choose to donate a percentage of your sale to support our vital work.
5. Use Amazon Smile for your next online order - Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to your chosen charity.