Olympic rower and gold medallist to receive injured veterans at the Tower of London for Blesma
On Friday 10 October, 30 injured veterans having cycled over 125 miles will be received by London 2012’s champion rower Heather Stanning at the Tower of London.
With its roots in the aftermath of WWI, Blesma organises SR UK, a five day long cycling tour which brings together wounded warriors from Britain and the USA.
Many limbless riders, on adapted cycles and hand bikes, set off from Woburn Abbey on the borders of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire on Sunday 5 October, and having ridden past some iconic locations in Oxford, Cambridge and Blenheim, the bike ride will culminate at the Tower of London on the afternoon of Friday 10 October.
Heather, a member of the Great Britain Rowing Team, and a Royal Artillery officer, recently came on board as a celebrity supporter of the historic military charity Blesma.
“I have seen first-hand what Blesma has done for guys who have been injured, how it supports them and helps them get on with their lives in all sorts of ways,” said Heather on why she has given her support.
“Nick Beighton, who has just completed Beeline Britain, was on the London 2012 Paralympic rowing team, and he told me all about the great work Blesma does. There’s great camaraderie among the Members, what they do is fantastic and what they want to achieve in the future is inspiring. I can’t wait to get involved.”
Heather is still at the top of her game. She smashed the competition at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam this summer where she knocked a whopping three seconds off the Coxless Pairs world best time with partner Helen Glover.
Blesma’s Chief Executive Barry Le Grys says: “Blesma is delighted to have the support of a champion like Heather. As a member of the military, she has particular synergy with us and our Members and it will be a real treat for the riders to be received by a gold medallist like her. Blesma looks forward to a long and healthy partnership with Team GB’s latest rowing sensation.”
Formerly known as Soldier Ride, Blesma has run the event in partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project in the US for four years now. Last year, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York waved the riders off as they set off on a crisp autumn morning from Windsor Castle.
For more on Blesma or to donate click on www.blesma.org
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Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below:
Olympic rower Heather Stanning (right) with rowing partner Helen Glover - credit Intersport Images /media/197318/RowingFISAWRC20140007259.JPG
HRH Princess Beatrice with riders at Windsor Castle (SR UK 2013) /media/75851/Riders-at-Windsor.jpg
Nick Beighton on Beeline Britain (May 2014) for Blesma /media/190147/Nick-Beighton-credit-Tori-James.JPG (Credit Tori James)
Blesma logo /media/161741/B-Blesma-Logo-small-use-10814.jpg
Wounded Warrior Project logo /media/77907/WWP.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.
About Soldier Ride and Wounded Warrior Project
Soldier Ride now serves wounded veterans all across the United States and in England, Germany, France and Israel. It is a unique four-day cycling opportunity for wounded soldiers to use cycling and the bonds of service to overcome physical, mental, or emotional wounds. Wounded Warrior Project’s pledge is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history. They are honoured to be celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.
About Nick Beighton
Nick Beighton, 32, is from Shrewsbury and represented Great Britain in the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the Trunk and Arms Mixed Double Scull.
He also competed and came first at Indoor Rowing at the Invictus Games last month.
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For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact
Prarthana Rao, Communications Lead
T: 07770919760