Blesma support Winter Paralympian and amputee veteran Owen Pick

Blesma recently supported Winter Paralympian Owen Pick after he was unable to work and fund his snowboarding gear for the season.

The charity provided Owen with a grant to help him purchase a new snowboard and some kit so he could train towards his 2022 Winter Paralympics bid.

“I normally fund the season through my summer Airsoft job, but due to the pandemic, it’s been closed,” said Owen. “Blesma helped me purchase a new snowboard for Banked Slalom competitions as well as clothing for the season. The charity has helped me loads in the past so I can’t thank them enough for all their support.”

Owen was just 18 years old when he was injured by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan with the Royal Anglian Regiment.

"I battled for 18 months to try and keep my leg, but nothing was working. My right leg was amputated below the knee in August 2011 and I immediately felt relieved.

"Since then, I've not looked back. As part of my rehab, I was encouraged to try various sports and Blesma got me into snowboarding in the first place. I'd never done skiing or anything like that before, but it looked cool. Blesma sent me on a trip, and I certainly didn't pick it up straight away. When I went for the first time, I spent the initial three days on my face!"

Now, Owen has come a long way from his first Blesma activity. In 2018, he was part of the first British snowboarding team to compete at a Paralympic Games, was given the honour of being Great Britain's flagbearer at the same Games and in 2020, he won his first gold medal.

"PyeongChang was absolutely crazy. It was full-on before I even got on the place. I was chosen as the flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony, too - which was the best bit! The next Paralympics, in Beijing in 2022 are already in my mind."