2021
Blesma Updates for 2021, covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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Tribunal rules in favour of Blesma Member
7 May 2021
Member Charlie Radclyffe has won a significant tribunal hearing in which he argued that disability benefits for double lower leg paralysis should be treated similarly to double lower leg amputation. Charlie was paralysed from the waist down after jumping off a bridge during adventurous training in 2003. By the time he was medically discharged in 2006 he was able to walk with crutches, using a wheelchair when necessary. However, he was left paralysed below the knees and his disablement was classified as 80%. Between 2006 and 2020, Charlie had three me
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Football Team established to support Blesma!
2 May 2021
British Army Veteran Jonathan Farrelly hopes to raise £50,000 for Blesma by putting on a veterans vs civilians football match on 27 June. Jonathan established the Combined Veterans Football Club (CVFC) in December with the aim of raising funds for Blesma and other military charities after seeing smaller veterans’ charities struggle during COVID-19. “I’ve set up a Facebook page and the response has been overwhelming,” said the 32 year old from Weston-super-Mare. “People I didn’t know began offering to help – a few celebrities have even offered their s
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Soldier to complete 48-hour march in memory of mum who died from coronavirus
30 April 2021
Serving Soldier James Kirby has set off on a monumental challenge for Blesma in memory of his mum who died after contracting coronavirus. James will march for 48-hours while wearing his Duke of Lancaster’s headdress in honour of his “beautiful” Mum. Denise Kirby, who was a double amputee, died at Southport and Formby Hospital on March 12 aged just 59. Denise was a mum of three boys James,
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Spotlight On: Ian Harper
28 April 2021
Ian Harper is Blesma’s new Director Independence and Wellbeing. He joined the Army in 1977 and began a 30-year career, initially serving in the Royal Regiment of Wales and then the Royal Army Medical Corps. Between serving in each regiment, Ian spent nine years in the commercial world, during which he completed an MBA and an MA in marketing. Ian started his new role with Blesma in January. “I had wanted to join the Army for as long as I could remember. My father and brothers all served, as did my grandad, who had fought in World War I and was wounded
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