2021
Blesma Updates for 2021, covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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British Para Ice Hockey is searching for Female Athletes
21 July 2021
The British Para Ice Hockey Association (BPIHA) is proud to announce the launch of the Women’s GB High Performance program. The BPIHA will be facilitating both the current GB Para Ice Hockey Program and the new Women’s GB high performance programs geared towards classifiable athletes with physical disabilities to participate in International Paralympic Committee (IPC) sanctioned events. The new Women’s GB programme will be overseen by Head Coach Peggy Assinck who will be assisted by current GB Para Ice Hockey Head Coach Ian Offers. We are currently recr
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Blesma 100 returns to our roads with 150-mile route
19 July 2021
Military veterans – some who are severely injured – have taken on a two-day, 150-mile coast-to-coast cycle challenge across the Pennines and Yorkshire Dales to raise funds for Blesma. Now in its sixth year, the Blesma 100 – a popular cycle ride organised by Blesma Member and ambassador Jonathan Bell – saw 30 riders set off from Morecambe, Lancashire on 12 June with their sights set on Scarborough on the Yorkshire coast. Along the way, the group cycled some 150 miles and climbed more than 7,000 feet in elevation. “What a fantastic team effort that showed real c
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James completes 48-hour march to honour mum
17 July 2021
Serving Corporal James Kirby has completed a 48-hour march for Blesma in memory of his mum, who died after contracting coronavirus. Starting on Friday 30 April, James marched from the Cenotaph in Preston to ITC Catterick and back – a total of 154 miles – in honour of his “beautiful mum”. Denise, who was a double amputee, died in hospital on 12 March, aged just 59. “Mum lost both her legs through diabetes and had a stroke which resulted in her losing the use of her hands, but she always had a bit of banter. She was tough,”
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Lesley Stewart Paralympics dream with the help of Blesma
15 July 2021
Lesley has lived much of the last 20 years in extreme pain. How on earth then, has she found the ability to stand at the cusp of competing for a medal in Target Shooting at this year’s Tokyo Paralympics? Lesley joined the Royal Military Police and enjoyed her time in the forces. On an annual routine combat fitness test, her life changed forever. “I pulled a muscle in my back during the eight-mile run. It ached straight away, but within a week I was getting severe pain in my left ankle. My foot began twisting and pointing to the right.” After years of mystery, pain and m
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