Blesma News
Latest news from Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
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Benefits update - Winter Fuel Payments
12 December 2021
Benefits update - Winter Fuel Payments Benefits update - Winter Fuel Payments Welcome to Blesma's regular section on the benefits system. As well as highlighting some useful information regarding the benefits system, on occasions we will be raising awareness of some health and social care matters. If you would like to discuss your benefit entitlement or have a social care query, please contact your Blesma Support Officer. Alternatively, you can contact Liz Watling in the Independence and Wellbeing team by email at
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Tail End Charlie is helping Veterans
10 December 2021
Royal Artillery Veteran David Gardner used his extensive military connections in lockdown to create Tail End Charlie – a group of volunteers across the country who have come together to support vulnerable veterans. “It started by helping people out with food parcels. We put people in touch with each other through regional Facebook groups and now have thousands of people involved,” said David, 56, who lost both his legs after a scorpion sting caused blood clots and nerve damage. “If we can’t help someone directly, we put them in contact with organisations we tr
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Meet fellow Blesma Member Janet Riddell
6 December 2021
Janet Riddell joined the Royal Navy in 1990 as a naval clerk. She was involved in a helicopter crash during a posting to Baghdad, sustaining injuries that led to her becoming a through-knee amputee. She now spends her time supporting other amputees, Service personnel and civilians. “I initially joined up as a Radar Operator in March 1983. I was only 16 years old and when I arrived for training,I felt totally overwhelmed. I just wasn’t ready to join up and had to go home the next day. “I started work as an account clerk and later applied to join the
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Wounded Highlanders pushing for inclusivity
3 December 2021
A team of injured veterans are campaigning to make the Highland Games more inclusive for competitors with disabilities. Originally held to allow clan chiefs to select their strongest warriors and swiftest messengers, the tournaments now attract athletes and spectators from around the world. However, competitors with disabilities only competed for the first time in 2018. Injured veterans have now formed the Wounded Highlanders, a team that became associated members of the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association (RSHGA) in 2020. The team currently has 30 athletes and adaptive
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