2022
The Blesma News for 2022 covering news, activities and fundraising events for limbless veterans.
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All Smiles at the Make a Smile Lottery!
19 May 2022
On April 28th Blesma Member Nik Eley joined Blesma staff on an outing to the Make a Smile lottery gardens in Colchester. The trip was organised into order to take some new images to help promote the lottery, which has so far raised over £237,000 for Blesma. As well as being a photoshoot, the trip was an opportunity for the Make a smile Lottery staff to hear how the funds they raise make a difference, directly from a Blesma Member. “I did rather well in the army. I came out relatively unscathed, and had rather a successful career until 2018.” Nik told th
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Blesma backing helps injured veteran reach Mt. Everest summit on third attempt
15 May 2022
An injured Ex-soldier, who abandoned ascent to Mount Everest TWICE to save climbers, has finally summited the world’s highest Mountain, Mount Everest. With unfinished business with the mountain, Les, who was blinded in his left eye after an Afghanistan Blast, began his push to ascend the summit on Tuesday 10 May with the aim of reaching the 8,849m peak in the early hours of Saturday morning. “On Friday 13th May at around 6 am I finally stood on the summit of Mount Everest!” said Les, who has the last mo
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Making Generation R returns in the flesh after its virtual success
14 May 2022
Making Generation R (MGR) graduates took to the stage in February for their in person rehearsals for the first time since the pandemic forced the project online two years ago. The 16-strong team, who come from across the UK, performed an electrifying and moving medley of their stories at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London to showcase the inspirational workshops that they will soon be running inschools and for emergency services. Blesma’s unique project, which uses theatre experts and professional storytellers to train Members to develop
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A pleasure to be back on the road
12 May 2022
"As we seem to be turning the tide of Covid and the resulting restrictions are easing, it has been great to get out of the home office and back on the road. " The new year started with a trip to Cambridge to join a Member at his Limb Centre appointment. Before Covid, this was routine business but the legacy of the pandemic was still evident. On arrival at the Addenbrooke’s Hospital site everyone was wearing face coverings, and security guards were posted at all entrances to ensure hands were washed and that fresh, hospital-supplied face coverings were being used. The
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