2020
The Blesma News for 2020 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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Blesma Member makes history on Matterhorn Summit
11 August 2020
An Army veteran has become the first double above the knee amputee to summit the Matterhorn. Neil Heritage, 39, from Dorset, reached the 4,478m (14,692ft) peak on Friday 7 August, on his third attempt to conquer one of the deadliest mountains in the world. His previous attempts in 2016 and 2018 were stopped by bad weather, and in 2017, Neil had to abandon their attempt before climbing even started as weather and two metres of snow thwarted any possibility of a safe climb. “It was pretty amazing reaching the summit. Obviously, I have had a couple of goes
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The long awaited return to racing!
10 August 2020
With all circuits being closed due to the Covid-19 Lockdown, Martyn and Warren had only driven the Praga a total of two times prior to the season opener. Warren said, ‘I was a little concerned before the qualifying started, as we have had so little time to get to know the car and adapt to driving with aerodynamic downforce. As soon as I was strapped into the car, all those worries disappeared, and I was focused on attacking the track.’ Posting a lap time of 1:23.4 the guys qualified P2 in class and P6 on the overall grid. A result far beyond anybody’s expectat
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Latest Research Projects
9 August 2020
As a respected organisation that supports the Service disabled, Blesma is often asked to support research projects. Every year, BSO (Prosthetics) Brian Chenier attends numerous meetings that look at future and on-going research topics. This offers an opportunity to represent Blesma and the Membership at the early or scoping phase of research projects, as well as influencing the direction of others. When it does support projects, Blesma’s input ranges from supporting the concept of the research to identifying possible participants. Before information about a project finds its w
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"It's just built in me to help others" Says Victor
8 August 2020
An injured veteran is helping Devon and Cornwall residents during COVID-19 lockdown by delivering emergency food supplies. Victor Boumonte and his Frontline Veterans Support team are working alongside Devon and Cornwall Food Action, a charity that supplies food in emergency situations, to deliver essential supplies to those in need. “We’ve supported thousands of people so far,” said former soldier Victor, who served with the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment for seven years. “People are often in tears when we turn up and are always so thankful for the help. We’ve had that
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