Blesma News
Latest news from Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
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Charlie Holford
4 June 2021
Charlie received a series of incorrect diagnoses following a routine injury in 2012, and joined the Association after his left leg was amputated below the knee in November. “I joined the REME as an armourer when I was 20, and I loved it,” he says. “I breezed through Basic Training, won best recruit, and wanted to go into the Commandos or Paras. But after I’d been in a year, I hurt my ankle on a run. The PTI told me to get up and carry on, and I did. I was diagnosed with shin splints so did 13 sessions a week for months to try to address them. Eventually, it turned o
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The Invictus Games Foundation launch new Wheelchair Tennis opportunity
4 June 2021
Calling all Wounded Injured Sick, serving or Veteran! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 is keen to promote continuing recovery through sport. Wheelchair Tennis is no longer part of the Games but recognise it is still a great foundation for recovery, be it for physical or phycological injuries. The Foundation, with support from the LTA, are hosting 4 taster days to offer an I𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬. During these days you will be shown how to set up and use a tennis wheelchair, shown the correct movement pa
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Rehab, rifles and resilence
1 June 2021
Most people who have served in the military would rate themselves as an above-average shot – you only have to witness the banter when the air rifles make an appearance at Members’ Weekend to know that – but top-level marksmanship requires something different from being on the ranges, says Lesley Stewart. Lesley, a former Royal Military Police officer, is a Paralympic prospect in a number of shooting disciplines. She’s hopeful of selection for Tokyo 2020 – now scheduled to be held later this year – with success at the Paris Paralympics in 2024 being her long-term targ
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The 660 Tour of Britain
30 May 2021
A Group of six serving personnel from 660 Signal Troop have set themselves a target of cycling 1,236 miles around Britain to raise funds for Blesma and the Royal Signals charity. The team plan to hit the road on 28 June and are aiming to complete their mission in just 11 days. “I took up cycling last year as an escape during the first lockdown, and I got the bug,” said Staff Sergeant Jon Wilkinson, who has served with the regiment for 18 years. “I came up with the idea of visiting each of the 11 regiment headquarters, as previously 6
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