Jon-Allan Butterworth becomes Cycling Ambassador for Blesma

3 March 2014

We are pleased to announce Team GB paracyclist Jon-Allan Butterworth, as a new ambassador for our programme of cycling events for Members.

Birmingham-born Jon-Allan Edward Butterworth is a British paralympic cyclist who represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Paralympics and won two silver medals in 1 km time trial and the Individual Pursuit.

After leaving secondary school Jon-Allan joined the RAF in 2002 and served in Afghanistan in 2005 and Iraq in 2007 as a Weapons Technician. On 4 August 2007 he was involved in a rocket attack on Basra Air Station in Iraq. He was operated upon by doctors in a battlefield hospital who carried out an above elbow amputation of his left arm.

It was while he was still recovering at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Hedley Court in Surrey when he first made contact with British Cycling at a Paralympics GB talent day in Loughborough in October 2007. But it was not until January 2009 that he was accepted into the British Paracycling Programme as a result of a selection weekend in Newport.

The historic service charity continues to build on its portfolio of cycling events. Most recently, 30 wounded veterans were waved off by HRH Princess Beatrice of York from Windsor Castle as they set off for SR UK – a 250 mile bike ride across the South of England last October.

Jon-Allan says: “I’m really excited to be the Cycling Ambassador for such a worthy charity and one that is so passionate about cycling. Blesma runs a really varied programme of bike rides; one that is only going to grow to mark the centenary of The First World War over the next few years. Interestingly enough Blesma has its roots in the same war and celebrates a century of supporting injured veterans like me in some shape or form.”

David Coulton, Activities Manager at Blesma says: “We’re delighted that Jon-Allan has agreed to become our Cycling Ambassador. Our cycling events are incredibly popular among the Members and go a long way towards empowering wounded warriors who will carry these scars – both visible and not so visible – for life. Having the backing of an elite cycling champion and a rising star like Jon-Allan is fantastic works wonders in promoting and furthering our cause. He is an inspiration and will help raise awareness of our unique range of charity rides as well as our vital efforts to rebuild lives.”

Money raised by the charity helps empower injured veterans and their families to live independent and fulfilling lives by offering welfare support and rehabilitative activities.

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, in earliest guise was formed as a result of the First World War. It is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It became a national charity in 1932.

For more information about Blesma’s cycling programme visit www.blesma.org/cycling

For more information on Jon-Allan Butterworth visit http://www.j-butterworth.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

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

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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.

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