A Blesma-funded trip has allowed an injured veteran to enjoy a family holiday for the first time since he was paralysed from the neck down three years ago.

Rob Butt joined his wife Kathy and their three teenage children – Ralph, Giles and Emelia – as they enjoyed some quality time together and embarked on many adventure activities at the Calvert Trust Exmoor in July. As a family, they abseiled, climbed, kayaked, did archery, visited the stables and much more.

“We had a wonderful time. Everyone really enjoyed it and we loved doing the cycling, canoeing, and climbing,” said Rob, who was injured in Malta when the tour bus he was travelling in went through low-hanging branches.

“The fact that I was able to do abseiling and archery with the help of some amazing instructors, and being all together on holiday for the very first time was fantastic.”

Kathy added: “It was hugely important for the children to be with their dad. We don’t like leaving Rob on family trips, so seeing his response as he came down a wall in a wheelchair was incredible. “We had to have two carers along with us, so while the prices were very reasonable for what the Calvert Trust offers, it was a lot for us to fund seven people.

It was tremendous that Blesma could support the trip and enable us to go somewhere so that Rob could fully participate.”

In the three years since Rob was injured, Blesma has supported the Butt family – from helping get Rob home for Christmas before the house was adapted to offering therapy for the whole family.

“In the beginning, it was really challenging to finance significant building costs so Rob could access the house,” said Kathy. “I was at a low ebb because I was repeatedly rejected for support. My mother-inlaw was about to sell her house and downsize so we could have Rob back home with us.

“When Blesma and BSO Steve Fraser came onto the scene, it was amazing. Steve has the expert knowledge that takes away so much of the stress of dealing with getting used to life being so different. His organistationl skills, kindness and empathy were life-changing for all of us.