Blesma employee cycled from London to Colchester to raise almost £1,200 for one of the oldest military charities

6 August 2013

Blesma Support Officer - Prosthetics and former military policeman jumped on his saddle to support a forces charity closest to his heart.

Brian Chenier, 44, cycled from the Masonic Grand Lodge of England on Great Queen Street in London to St Giles Masonic Centre in Colchester via the Blesma headquarters on Sunday 28 July raising just over £1,180 for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

Former military policeman Brian Chenier, 44, joined the Blesma team in April this year to represent, lobby for and support limbless veterans access the best prosthetic provision available.

Brian cycled the 65 miles with fellow Freemasons - Richard Ford, 47, and Andy Colsell, 42 - all three from Colchester.

Brian, who finished his 27 years military career as Military Provost Staff says: “I was first introduced to Blesma when my father became a Blesma Member after losing his leg to a vascular disease. He was in the Military Provost Staff Corps.

Direct contact with Members in the recent months has given me a deep understanding of the costs involved in their care and I am very thrilled to have contributed to it in my own small way.

The cycle ride was rather taxing at times but the knowledge that every pedal cycled will go towards empowering the injured military community kept me going. There was no way I was going to go back on my commitment, after all, the military never quits!”

A drinks reception for family and friends of the riders was organised by Worshipful Master - of the United Lodge No 697 at St Botolph’s Church in Colchester.

Brian’s father and fellow Freemason, David Chenier, 67, was the Guest of Honour. He thanked the riders and supporters on behalf of all Blesma Members, saying: “The work of Blesma can only be done thanks to people raising money like you have today. The difference made to our lives is huge and we are very grateful for it.”

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.

To support Brian and his friends and raise money for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, please visit http://bit.ly/13H3Hdm

For more information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans visit www.blesma.org

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below

Brian Chenier /media/24351/Brian-solo.jpeg

Brian, Richard and Andy (L-R) outside Blesma HQ

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About Blesma, The Limbless Veterans

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless serving and ex service men and women, their widows and dependants. It is a membership organisation which helps wounded service men and women rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. Their membership includes those who have lost the use of a limb, an eye or the sight of an eye.

Blesma was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Blesma today has over 4000 Members and widows. The membership consists of men and women who have served during the Second World War and the many subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations since, including the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

About Freemasons Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations. United Grand Lodge of England administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas.

For more information visit http://www.ugle.org.uk/

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