Blesma Member Pete Norton GC is attempting to walk 5km this Sunday – the furthest distance he has walked since he was injured in 2005.

For 15 years, Pete has used a wheelchair after he was injured while serving with the Royal Logistic Corps in the Iraq War. He was checking for the presence of devices when an IED was triggered and exploded. He lost his left leg above the knee, his left arm below the elbow and suffered back injuries.

However, after undergoing surgery for Osseointegration last year, he has been able to walk once again and determined to push himself, Pete plans to complete the Dorney Lake 5km Windsor on his new ‘stubbies’ on Dec 13 in aid of Blesma.

“A little over a year ago, Blesma facilitated a grant to enable my wife and I to fly out to Australia for MoD funded life-changing surgery; in one operation I had my non-functional right leg amputated and bilateral trans-femoral Osseointegration carried out, with the eventual aim to get back up walking after 15 years in a wheelchair following the receipt of very serious injuries on military operation in Iraq” said Pete, who has only previously walked 200 metres.

“Blesma have supported me and my family throughout this journey, getting to and from the DMRC rehabilitation unit, with numerous other things over the years. They truly are a great charity, with their Members needs at heart.”

With a walking stride of 20cm, the challenge may take Pete up to five hours to complete, totalling up 25,000 steps along the way.

“I had hoped to be walking on full-length microprocessor-controlled knees by now, but this year’s pandemic has, unfortunately, reduced access to rehabilitation services and they are not quite ready. Therefore, I shall be undertaking the walk - it’s a race but hey, I’m not kidding anyone - on my ‘stubbies’.”

On the day, Pete’s wife, Kate, will be supporting him through the challenge and has already completed a half marathon on Nov 14 in aid of Blesma, too.

If you would like to support Pete and Kate, you can donate here - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kate-norton-hewins2