Veteran abseils down Spinnaker Tower for military charity

28 May 2015

On Sunday 24 May, David Bland, 80, from Chichester organised for himself and ten others to abseil 328 feet down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth raising around £1,200 for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

David is a Member of Blesma after losing his right eye in a training accident while serving as a Corporal with the Wiltshire Regiment in 1954. After leaving the military, he went into farming and now keeps busy by helping his children who have taken over the business and fundraising for Blesma.

David says: “I have been a Blesma Member since 1956 and although losing an eye does not involve much attention as the loss of one's arms and legs, Blesma has always been there for me and I feel that being a Member is a very good insurance throughout my life. My motivation to raise money for Blesma is to try ensure those who have suffered far more serious injuries than I will be able to continue to receive their full support. I feel safe under the Blesma umbrella as you never know what life has in store. Now I am trying to think up new ways of raising money for this fantastic cause!”

Blesma are now looking for people to take part in the Spinnaker Tower abseil challenge in May 2016 – if you are interested, please email communityevents@blesma.org or call 0208 590 1124.

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.

 

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

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

David Bland: /media/313759/Abseiling-Portsmouth-Spinnaker-Tower-002.jpg

The fundraisers: /media/313760/Group.jpg

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