24-year-old NHS Manager and RAF Reservist will run the Virgin London Marathon for injured veterans

Christie Vickers, 24, will be one of a number of runners taking part in this year’s Virgin London Marathon for London-based military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

Besides being a Portfolio Manager in Mental Health services for the Central and North West London NHS Trust, Christie also serves as an RAF Reservist with 600 Squadron in Northolt.

She chose to run for Blesma after working at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court. This involved working closely with former Blesma Chief Executive Jerome Church and Blesma Support Officers John Francis and Keith Meakin (now retired) on the Department of Health’s Veterans Prosthetics Panel in 2013.

Talking about how the experience inspired her, Christie says: “Having seen first-hand the support that Blesma offers injured service personnel while they are at Headley Court and beyond, I wanted to contribute something to go towards their fantastic work. I have completed triathlons in the past and been to the Army v Navy rugby match in Twickenham with some of the Blesma Members, but this is by far the hardest challenge I have taken on to date and April cannot come sooner!”

Christie has organised a bake sale in month October last year at Headley Court that raised around £500 towards her running total of just over £1,500. She also has a car boot sale in South Wales coming up in March after getting family and friends to donate items.

Christie who is from London has also joined a local marathon running club to make sure she is in the best shape to face the big day.

Elizabeth Pappalardo, Senior Fundraising Executive for Community & Events at Blesma says: “Christie has been prolific in her efforts to fundraise for us, but not only is she great at fundraising; she is as passionate about helping our injured veterans as we are. It is refreshing to have young people like her interested in a charity that has been around for as long as we have. I wish Christie all the best in what is a massive undertaking, and thank her on behalf of all at Blesma.”

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 show your support to Christie in her fundraising efforts, please go to: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChristieVickers

Notes to Editor

Hi-res images can be downloaded from the link below:

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Are you inspired? Apply for a Blesma London Marathon charity place