Blesma employee tackles 24-hour challenge for a charity supporting limbless veterans
4 September 2013
Blesma’s Corporate Fundraiser is joining a team from Network Rail to take on the 3 Peak Challenge and raise valuable funds for a military charity of her choice.
Jess Vincent, 25, originally from Epsom but now living in east London, will join supporters from the Rail Infrastructure Projects and tackle the three highest mountains on the UK mainland within 24 hours - Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in the English Lake District and Snowdon in Wales. The team of eight climbers will set off from the base of Ben Nevis at 1900hrs on Friday 6 September with an aim to finish at Snowdon at the same time the following day.
Jess was invited to join the Network Rail team after meeting HSEA Specialist and a former Senior Aircraftswoman Technician in the Royal Air Force Jade Williams (nee Watson). She suffered a stroke while serving in Iraq in 2006 at the age of 20.
Jade first came into contact with Blesma during her recovery at Headley Court. She was inspired to do something for the charity after seeing the support they provide to injured personnel. The fact that many of her colleagues in Network Rail were ex-servicemen, further confirmed her mind. As well as Jess and Jade, the Network Rail team is made up of: Kemsley Cole, Richard Bunning, Tim Brain, Andy Spencer, John Skelsey, Steve Warwick and Mike Pitt.
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans are Network Rail Reading Project’s charity of choice for 2013. Besides the 3 Peaks Challenge, other attempts to raise money by the employees in the branch include – Senior Wales and Western Project Director Robbie Burns cycling from London to Paris in July, dress-down days and raffles, raising a total of £15,000 for Blesma.
Jess says: “I am delighted with the support Network Rail have shown towards Blesma and do hope that this partnership only becomes stronger with time. Having never undertaken anything like this before, I would not have signed up if it wasn’t for Jade Watson. I take my hat off to how she beat all odds and rebuilt her life post the injury in Iraq. She truly inspired me to push the limit. Lastly, being a corporate fundraiser, I wouldn’t dare expect my corporate clients to do something I wouldn’t do myself!”
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 Jess and the Network Rail team attempting the 3 Peaks Challenge and raise vital funds for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/RSAR3PeaksChallenge
For more information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans visit www.blesma.org
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Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the link below:
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.
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For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact
Bryony Stevens, Media Support
T: 020 8590 1124
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