Blesma supporter takes on London Marathon to help wounded veterans

A Blesma supporter is taking on the London Marathon to raise money for wounded veterans.

Sonja Chenier, 43, from Colchester, is taking on the 26.2 mile running challenge in aid of Blesma, the Limbless Veterans after she volunteered at a rehabilitation activity and was inspired by their Members and families.

Sonja, originally from Sunderland, first got involved with the charity in 2013 when her husband, Brian Chenier, began his new job as the charity’s Support Officer for Prosthetics. Over the years, the couple have helped out at numerous events including the London Marathon and several bucket collections. But it was last year when Sonja and Brian hosted a Blesma rehabilitation event, Families Glamping, that Sonja wanted to do more for the charity.

“I’ve always known about Blesma from being a Military wife and Brian’s dad was a Member of the charity. I got more involved as I heard more through Brian,” said Sonja, who works as an area development manager at Fun4kids.
“Last year I got to witness for myself how a group of strangers come together for an activity and leave the weekend best friends. Even the children were saying ‘look dad, he has robot legs like you.’ It was very humbling.”

It was also whilst helping the charity at the London Marathon in 2013 that inspired Sonja to run the marathon herself, despite having never run before. Sonja found a new love for running and also lost an impressive four stone.

To help with Sonja’s motivation during training, Brian also managed to get Sonja a special good luck video message from Paralympic Gold medallist Richard Whitehead MBE!

“I’d just come in from my first long run and it was amazing. It really pushed me on and I was buzzing.”

As part of her fundraising and training for the marathon, Sonja has already completed the Ipswich half marathon and Colchester half marathon in prep for the challenge and been holding charity quiz nights in Colchester including at the Purple Dog pub and St. Giles Masonic Hall.

To support Sonja, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sonja-Chenier1

Notes to Editor

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

http://blesma.org/media/440344/dsc03560.jpg

Are you inspired? Apply for a Blesma London Marathon charity place