Injured service personnel to take on Coast2Coast challenge for Blesma
11 March 2015
In just under a month, Five Blesma Members along with a group of friends will be taking on the Coast2Coast cycling challenge to give back to a charity that has supported them since their injuries.
The challenge will begin on 06 April, Easter Monday, and will last for three days. In that time the team, including two on hand-bikes, will cover a gruelling 140 miles starting in Morecambe in the West and ending in Filey in the East. They will be passing through Ingleton, Hawes, Redmire, Leyburn, Thirsk and Malton before ending at Filey seafront.
Blesma Member Jonathan Bell, who has coordinated the ride says: “This is about Blesma Members putting something back in - it’s as simple as that. We want to make sure more injured guys have the opportunities that we’ve had by raising as much money as possible for this fantastic charity that has helped us so much.”
Between them, the team have already collected £4,500 but are determined to raise as much as possible.
Barry Le Grys, Chief Executive of Blesma says: “Jonathan and his fellows wish to put ‘something back in’ – this is the fellowship that Blesma is. It is positive, it inspires, it lifts up those who are down, it looks forward to independent and fulfilling lives. We are so grateful.”
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.
For more information on how to donate, go to: Coast2Coast
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below:
Jonathan Bell: /media/285059/Jonathan-Bell-cropped.jpg
Mark Brown: /media/285060/Mark-Brown-cropped.png
Martin Kettrick: /media/285061/Martin-Kettrick-cropped.jpg
Jez Scarrett: /media/285057/Jez-cropped.png
John Reeves: /media/285058/John-Reeves-cropped.png
About the riders
Jonathan Bell, 50 from Weybridge, was paralysed from the chest down in a military training accident while serving with The Green Howards.
Mark Brown, 52 from Barnoldswick, lost his arm in a motorbike accident while serving with 1st Battalion Queen’s Lancashire Regiment.
Martin Kettrick, 57 from Stoke-on-Trent, broke his back while training with the Royal Marines.
Jez Scarratt, 56 from Taunton, lost his right leg below the knee in a motorbike accident while serving with the Royal Marines.
John Reeves, 54 from Godalming lost an eye when he was hit by an explosive while on exercise with 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment.
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