2021
Blesma Updates for 2021, covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
-
The Winter Fuel Allowance 2021
22 January 2021
The Winter Fuel Payment is the government allowance for most state pension age people to support with heating costs. Payment varies between £100-£300 and should be received by 31 March 2021 You will need to have lived in this country for at least one day from September 21 to September 27 2020 to be entitled. The situation and who may be affected The Winter Fuel Payment Team have reported difficulty with their computer system for this years payments. This has resulted in some people dropping off the system and the
Read post -
The Resilience Sessions Series 2 - Bonus Episode
20 January 2021
The Resilience Sessions is a podcast that brings together injured veterans from Blesma and a well known public figure, to share their stories of overcoming challenge of all kinds. Through these conversations our guests chat to one another about their experiences, sharing how they have navigated their ups and downs, finding often surprising common ground, and showing that what is most personal is often most universal. The Resilience Sessions grew out of the Making Generation R campaign, which has trained injured veterans to tell their stories to over 100,000 fr
Read post -
In the spotlight: Pete Shields
19 January 2021
Stalwart Blesma Support Officer Pete Shields could write a book about his time at the Association, and it would be full of warm memories, tough battles, and triumphs for Members. He’s been on the front line of Blesma’s welfare efforts in the North East and Scotland for the last 15 years, serving his ‘flock’ of 300 Members and Widows with enthusiasm, humour and grit. “It’s been an honour,” says Pete, who retired from the role at the end of November. “I will miss the Members, my colleagues, and being part of this great organisation, but I’ve loved every minute of my time here. For me,
Read post -
Letters page: Sam Gallop CBE
17 January 2021
"His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh was the hands-on and encouraging President of the Guinea Pig Club charity, which was founded in 1940 by Battle of Britain pilots who sustained severe burns while flying in World War II. Their burns were often the result of extreme temperatures produced when high winds in crashing planes fanned highoctane fuel flames. These air crew, and their 800-some successors throughout WWII, were selected for treatment by Sir Archibald McIndoe and his innovative team at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinste
Read post