Double amputee Paralympian to take on unique challenge
14 April 2014
Blesma Member and London Paralympian Nick Beighton, 32, will be part of a team of four taking on the Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge, but with a unique twist. Instead of following the conventional route, the team have decided to make a beeline for the finish, by doing it in a straight line.
Nick, from Shropshire, is currently serving as a Captain in the Royal Engineers, although he is soon to leave the Army. While on a routine foot patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in October 2009, Nick stood on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) causing him to suffer serious multiple injuries, including losing both of his legs above the knee.
Having gone through rehabilitation at Headley Court, Nick began training full-time as a Trunk and Arms rower for the London 2012 Paralympic games, finishing 4th in his event with partner Sam Scowen.
Post-Paralympics, Nick’s next challenge came through a friend of a friend and he joined the Beeline Britain team in 2013. The end of the year ramped up Nick’s daily activity as he became a father for the first time to son Jonah, and training for Beeline Britain increased.
Nick says: “Taking on Beeline Britain after the high of the London Paralympic Games gave me a new challenge to focus on. Blesma have given me a lot of support since my injuries, so I suggested we chose them as the beneficiaries as I am very keen to raise as much money and awareness for them as possible. The fact that Land’s End to John O’Groats has never been done in a straight line before makes the challenge unique and I am excited to see how it unfolds.”
Annette Hall, Head of Fundraising at Blesma says: “To be the beneficiary of such a unique event is very exciting, even more so for the fact that one of our Members is taking part. I wish Nick and the team the very best of luck in their endeavour.”
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 for Nick and the team in their fundraising efforts, please go to: http://www.justgiving.com/beelinebritain
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below:
Nick in Afghanistan
/media/8106/Nick-Beighton-Afghan.JPG
Nick Team GB
/media/8104/nick-beighton-team-gb.jpg
Rowing with Sam Scowen at the London Paralympic Games
/media/104069/Nick-and-Sam-small.jpg
With the Beeline Britain team
/media/128773/Beeline-Team-2.jpg
More can be read on Nick’s story here.
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
Back to News