Military charity celebrates the support from GE Aviation in 2013
A forces charity which was formed as a result of The First World War is delighted with the backing it has received from GE Aviation in the last year.
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans are delighted to announce this promising relationship with GE Aviation – a branch of the GE conglomerate.
GE in the UK is a major employer and invests in multiple sectors, including Technology Infrastructure, Energy Infrastructure, GE Capital and NBC Universal. Within Technology Infrastructure, GE Aviation has eleven manufacturing sites in total in the UK and employs over 5,000 people, more than a quarter of GE’s total UK workforce.
In June, a team of 21 from GE Aviation in Bishop’s Cleeve near Cheltenham completed the 3 peaks challenge – climbing the three highest peaks Scafell Pike in England, Ben Nevis in Scotland and Snowdon in Wales within 24 hours and raised a fantastic total of £5202.74 for Blesma.
In October 5 employees from GE Aviation joined 30 wounded riders in SR UK, a Blesma-organised bike tour of South East England where the cyclists were waved off by Princess Beatrice of York at Windsor Castle. 15 injured veterans from the Wounded Warrior Project in Florida also participated in the six-day-long bike ride saw the cyclists cover an impressive 250 miles on fairly challenging terrain.
Over the year, GE Aviation staff put in over 150 hours of volunteering in support of Blesma’s Member activities.
After taking part in SR UK 2013, Jeff Twilton, recently appointed Services Manager for GE Oil & Gas in North West Europe said: “Having served in Her Majesty’s Army in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for 24 years, I am well aware of Blesma and of my injured comrades. It is our duty to support them, not only by running, cycling or climbing, but also by promoting the fantastic work that Blesma do.”
Blesma’s Corporate Fundraiser Jess Vincent said: “Blesma celebrates the backing received from the staff of GE Aviation. The participating employees, many of whom have military connections, have actively engaged with the Members. They have been incredibly forthcoming, be it giving them a helpful push up the hill whilst on SR UK or opening up their contacts through the Veterans Network helping ex-service personnel get into civilian careers. We are grateful to GE for all their encouragement and hope for a rewarding mutual relationship in the years to come.”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded by clicking 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.
About GE Aviation
GE Aviation is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as avionics, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft with an extensive global service network to support these products.
Follow us on Twitter @BLESMA
Tweet with #BLESMAcorporatesupport
For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact
Bryony Stevens, Media and Communications Assistant
T: 020 8590 1124