Combat Medics attempt World Record for injured veterans

Two Combat Medics will be taking on the National Three Peaks challenge to raise money for military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

However to push themselves even further, instead of being shuttled between the peaks, the two soldiers will be cycling from one mountain to the next, meaning they will have no chance to rest before tackling each peak.

LCpl James Irving, based in Barnstaple, Devon with 24 Commando Engineer Regiment and LCpl Ross Titcombe, based at the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield near Hull, met while they were both serving in Germany. Through their military careers they have come across those who have been injured in conflict, and heard about Blesma’s work this way.

On 1^st September they will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘National Three Peaks Challenge Cycle Team’ which is currently set at 42 hours and 55 minutes and was set in 2015.

They said: “Working within the medical setting of the military, we often come across serving personnel and ex-serving personnel still suffering from the effects of injuries sustained on ops. These people can easily be forgotten about when thinking about past conflicts, as most only remember those who sadly lost their lives. Blesma is a fantastic charity that continues to provide the help and support for those living with life changing injuries.”

Associate Director of Fundraising Barbara Warner said: “Blesma wishes Ross and James all the best on their world record attempt next month. We have our fingers crossed for good weather for them and I’d like to thank them both for their tremendous efforts and for supporting Blesma!”

James, from Arbroath, and Ross, from Darlington, have been clocking up the miles on their bikes and scouting out the best routes for each peak in preparation for the challenge itself. To boost their fundraising efforts they have organised a supermarket collection. Avery Healthcare have also kindly offered to double their fundraising total as well as providing them with bicycles for the challenge.

To support James and Ross on the way to their £1,000 target, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rossandjames  or you can text ‘INCE57’ plus your amount to 70070.

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependents. 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:

L-R Ross Titcombe & James Irving: http://blesma.org/media/441012/ross-and-james.jpg

 

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 dependents.  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 around 3,500 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.

Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @Blesma and Facebook /blesma

 

For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact

Bryony Stevens, Media and Communications Officer

E: mediasupport@blesma.org

T: 020 8590 1124

W: www.blesma.org