Blesma News
Latest news from Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
-
Paralympic gold medallist retires after 11-year career
21 May 2021
Blesma Member Jon-Allan Butterworth MBE, who became the first British veteran injured in Iraq or Afghanistan to win a Paralympic gold, retired from professional cycling in December after an 11-year career. “I wanted Tokyo to be my last Paralympic Games, but when they were postponed I knew I would have to spend another 18 months sacrificing a lot of things and training in lockdown,” said the 35-year-old former RAF Weapons Technician. “It’s hard to live the Paralympic cycle life, and I realised I’d be more gutted if I committed to training an
Read post -
Table tennis proves to be a smash hit for Ian
19 May 2021
In 2015, former Royal Engineer Ian Murphy was doing his 75th skydive when he was involved in an accident that led to the amputation of his right leg below the knee. In the months that followed, angry at himself and with his confidence stripped away, Ian isolated himself from everyone. “I didn’t adjust well,” said the 55 year old from Nottingham. “I shut down and refused any help. It took me 18 months after I was discharged from hospital to stop crying! I was on a very steep downward spiral and, by 2018, I’d balloone
Read post -
Blesma paves the way for driveway renovation
15 May 2021
After moving house two years ago, Jack Otter was saving to renovate his “depressing” driveway. But when the quotes he received were all more than £23,000, he approached Blesma for support. “The driveway had been a mess for a while,” said Jack, who lost both his legs and his left arm above the elbow in an IED attack in 2009. Jack's driveway was 'depressing' and unsafe for him
Read post -
"He taught me that anything is possible"
13 May 2021
A teenager is fundraising in memory of former Lance Corporal David Timmins, who inspired her to follow her dream when the pair met during a Camps International project in 2019. Amy Dunton, 17, from Middlesbrough, met David in Borneo when they were both volunteering with Camps International. David, along with fellow Blesma Member Ben Ayres, was mentoring teenagers during the month-long expedition. “David and Ben spoke to many students about their lives, careers in the Forces, Blesma and lots more, and were a true inspiration to me,” said Amy, who is j
Read post