Family friend inspires fitness instructor to raise funds for a military charity
26 November 2013
A 29-year-old fitness instructor and sports therapist has been putting herself to the test in a number of physical challenges to raise money for military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.
Triathlete Gemma Horswell from Herne Bay in Kent is getting ready to take part in the Walt Disney World Marathon at the resort in Florida in January 2014. Gemma raised around £500 for Blesma by competing in the triathlon in September at Hever Castle.
Gemma chose to support Blesma after hearing about the work they do from Member and family friend Stephen Hamsbrook, a former Major in the Royal Engineers who lost both legs as a result of the Falklands War.
Gemma said: “After learning about all the fantastic work that Blesma do through Stephen, I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to fundraise for them while taking on the triathlon and the marathon. I’ve had great support from family, friends, colleagues at The Abbey Sports Centre and the local community and I am determined to raise as much money as possible in the lead up to my marathon in January.”
She had initially aimed to raise £1,000 but has already exceeded this with her running total currently standing at £1,100. In the run up to the marathon, Gemma has organised a football dream team competition at The Abbey Sports Centre and a quiz night and raffle at her local Faversham Cricket Club, which raised £339 on the night.
Her local pub ‘The Phoenix Tavern’ has also agreed to make Blesma their charity of choice for February 2014 to coincide with her running the Walt Disney World Marathon.
Gemma has also been sponsored by players from Herne Bay Football Club where she is a sports therapist, and other teams in the area.
Annette Hall, Head of Fundraising at Blesma said: “Gemma’s fundraising efforts are made all the more special as not only is she doing two physically demanding challenges, but she has also been engaging in her local community to raise money and awareness for Blesma. Without fantastic supporters like Gemma, we would struggle to provide the wide-range of services to our Members that we currently do.”
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 Gemma’s marathon fundraising efforts, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Gemma-Horswell
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Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the link below:
/media/81360/Gemma-Horswell.jpg
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.
Follow us on Twitter @BLESMA
For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact
Bryony Stevens, Media and Communications Assistant
T: 020 8590 1124
W: www.blesma.org
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