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 medic
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Nursey nurse bake sale for charity that supported husband after amputation proves huge success
7 May 2021
This Saturday, 60 Blesma supporters will be commemorating VE day 76 years on by completing their own self-set challenge in aid of Blesma. One supporter Diana Reid, who is married to Blesma Member Ian, has been baking and selling muffins. It was so successful the demand meant she beat her 76-muffin target, so we wanted to know more! Diane, centre, made 270 muffins for Blesma's VE
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A Call to Spy
4 May 2021
Virginia Hall established one of the most successful espionage rings in France during World War II armed with cunning, resilience, courage… and a wooden leg. The Limping Lady, as she would come to be called by the Germans, managed to evade capture despite a huge manhunt, and even survived a two-day hike over the snowy pyrenees mountain range in the depths of winter to reach safety. The astonishing story of how a 34-year-old woman with a below-knee amputation battled discrimination in the War Office and then built up a potent resistance network has now been ma
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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 supp
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