2020
The Blesma News for 2020 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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Full steam ahead for Mark's model railway man cave
5 May 2020
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 r
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Adaptive Yoga with Lizzie Croxford
1 May 2020
The Blesma Activities team have been hard at work, continuously thinking about new ways to bring their activities to all Members on a virtual level. During these times it is so important to focus on both physical and mental wellbeing. Yoga is the perfect balance of the two. As such, the Activities Team have worked with an amazing PT and Yoga coach, Lizzie Croxford, to bring you a yoga session that is suitable for all our Members. Lizzie has worked with Blesma in the past on the Couples fitness and lifestyle course, which took place in Mallorca last year with
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Making Generation R goes digital for lockdown
1 May 2020
Making Generation R is using the inspiring stories of how Members have tackled the adversity in their lives to help young people cope with the pressures of life under lockdown. As you know, Blesma has been quick to act throughout the COVID Crisis, and social distancing has of course also had a major impact on the Making Generation R programme. With schools closed, and teachers looking to online resources, students at home need to find resilience now more than ever. In order to help young people learn resilience at home, Blesma along with The Drive Project are
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A couple who met on VE Day are still together, 75 years on
28 April 2020
WWII veteran Kenneth Pickard has a special reason to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day – it was the night he met the love of his life. Kenneth, who lost his right leg above the knee in fighting after D-Day, had struggled to his local park on crutches to join the national celebrations. Worried about his future prospects, he “wasn’t thinking of meeting anyone, certainly not my future wife”. But Kenneth, now 96, and Barbara, 94, are still together after that chance meeting on May 8, 194 Ken, w
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