First all-amputee team set Record with English Channel swim in aid of Blesma
17 September 2014
Four Blesma Members have become the first all-amputee team to successfully swim the English Channel.
Stephen White, Jamie Gillespie, Conrad Thorpe and Craig Howorth, who are all single leg amputees, completed the swim on Friday 5 September in 12 hours and 14 minutes.
The four military veterans swam as a relay in what were far from ideal conditions. They adhered to the Official Channel Swimming Association (CSA) rules which include not wearing wetsuits in water temperatures that average at 18°C for September. They did not wear their prosthetic legs out of choice.
The team so far have raised almost £3,000 which will go towards Blesma’s work of helping other injured service personnel live with limb loss.
Conrad Thorpe said after the swim: “The crossing of the English Channel by the 4-man, ex-military, amputee team demanded an explosion of sustained swimming effort from the whole team in poor weather and deteriorating sea conditions. I am proud to have been a member of the ‘Leg’ team and a part of this success for Blesma and my limbless comrades.”
Barry Le Grys, Chief Executive of Blesma, said: “Craig, Jamie, Stephen and Conrad all worked tremendously hard over many months to make the swim a record setting success on the day. This is what Blesma is all about; helping one another to overcome the daily challenge, believing and proving there is a full life after limb loss. They are an inspiration to all disabled persons. I would also like to express my gratitude on behalf of Blesma to Giovanna Richards, the team’s CSA Observer who has supported the team throughout the build-up and the swim itself.”
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 the team in their fundraising efforts, please go to: http://www.justgiving.com/stephen-white12
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below:
The team on the boat: /media/161724/Qual-swim.png
On the day: /media/189763/00008MTSStill001-1.jpg
(L-R: Stephen White, Jamie Gillespie, Craig Howorth, Conrad Thorpe. In front: Giovanna Richards)
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 the Swimmers
Craig Howorth (46): Craig is a right leg below-the-knee amputee after losing his leg in a road traffic accident in 2006. Craig had previously served as a submariner in the Royal Navy from 1988 to 1993. He currently lives in Bacup, Lancashire and now works as a trail leader for Military Mountain Bikers.
Jamie Gillespie (39): Jamie was serving as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers when he was involved in a road traffic accident and lost his left leg below the knee in 1994. He was discharged from the Army in 1995 and has since retrained as a prosthetist. He works for Pace Rehabilitation and is living in Watford.
Stephen White (49): Stephen was serving as a Rifleman with The Royal Green Jackets when a cruciate knee injury led to him losing his left leg above the knee. Stephen was discharged from the Army in 1987 and has since become a Chief Executive. He currently lives in Newport, Essex.
Conrad Thorpe (50): Conrad was born and grew up in East Africa and represented Kenya at the Commonwealth Games in 1982. He served in the Royal Marines for 21 years, during which time he was selected for the Special Boat Service and served all over the world with them, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Conrad damaged his ankle while running which eventually led to an elective amputation in 2011. Jamie is his prosthetist - which is also how he joined the team. Conrad is now the Chief Executive of one of Africa’s leading risk management and security companies.
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For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact
Bryony Stevens, Media and Communications Assistant
T: 020 8590 1124
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