Bolton Wanderers FC visit limbless veterans’ care home
Representatives from Bolton Wanderers Football Club visited Blesma’s Blackpool Home meeting the elderly residents who are all veterans, mainly from the Second World War that have lost limbs. Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is Bolton Wanderers’ chosen national charity for the 2014/2015 season.
To date the club has raised more than £12,000 helping war veterans, young and old, who are dealing with the challenges of living with limb loss, the loss of use of limbs or eyesight. Funds raised will be used to provide physical and emotional support to all Blesma Members for life.
Touring the home, Club Chaplain and Head of Community Trust, Phil Mason said: “It has been a real pleasure to meet the veterans today and our Club is delighted to support such a worthwhile charity.”
The Blackpool Home provides 24 hour nursing and residential care for Blesma Members who require permanent, convalescent or respite care.
Blackpool Home Manager, Jacqui Longden said: “Our residents really enjoyed the visit today and many of them are attending the Blackpool v Bolton match tomorrow. We are very grateful to the Club for supporting our charity and thank all the fans for their generosity.”
Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below:
BWFC representatives with Home Manager Jacqui Longden: /media/206497/IMG_5547.JPG
BWFC representatives with Home residents and Manager Jacqui Longden:
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