Blesma News
Latest news from Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
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Freak accident puts epic challenge on hold until 2025
4 February 2025
A plan to sail around Great Britain in 50 days – which was two years in the making – ran into trouble after a freak accident on the second day. Blesma Members Talan Skeels-Piggins and Neil Baxter, both experienced sailors, had to abandon their detailed itinerary when their 34-foot boat was hit by a wave that sent Neil crashing across the cabin, breaking his hip. A coastguard helicopter was scrambled but, with conditions deteriorating, it had to abort its mission to winch Neil, a below-knee amputee, clear so he could get treatm
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Mac's Rehabilitation Journey Towards The 2025 Invictus Games
28 January 2025
Strongman Mac McLaren has been through an incredible transition, ditching his 6,000-calorie daily intake and shedding three stones to make the UK wheelchair rugby team for the 2025 Invictus Games. The former soldier, who won the World’s Strongest Disabled Man for three years running, needed a drastic transformation to build up his athletic capacity and stamina to compete in the high octane team sport of wheelchair rugby. “It was some change as I would eat six meals a day for strongman events which need explosive power while wheelchair ru
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“The people made it really special!”
23 January 2025
The Blackthorn Rally is an off-road motorsport expedition for military veterans that takes place every year in Africa. As a third-time participant, Spencer Bull thought he had seen it all, but this year’s event in Tanzania brought a whole new level of excitement. “Picture 26 adventurous souls – including four Blesma members who, between us, have no working legs – taking on the rugged terrain of East Africa in dune buggies,” said Spencer abou
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Trial walk turns into a real thing
23 January 2025
Dave Richardson "Trial" for an 11k Remembrance route turned into a challenge as he tackled two Lake District fells using crutches to complete the fundraising effort. The Falklands veteran had to contend with awful weather during 14km of ascents and steep downhills, despite having an osseointegration implant removed in the summer.
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