Ex-serviceman to take on 243km challenge for British Military Charity that supports Army brother

Ex-serviceman Scott Waterman is running the Kathmandu Coast to Coast challenge to support the charity that helped his wounded army buddy.

Scott, 27, from Marlborough, NZ has chosen to run for Blesma, the Limbless Veterans after hearing how the charity helps soldiers with their rehabilitation and support.

“One day I was talking to Matt and mentioned the challenge,” said Scott. “I said I was looking to do it for a charity and he mentioned Blesma and how they helped with his rehabilitation. It made sense to do it for a friend. If the charity is important to them then it’s important to me.”

Scott Waterman served in Afghanistan with wounded veteran Matt Wilson in the 2 Rifles. In 2009, Matt was on foot patrol in Sangin when he stepped on a pressure-pad of a concealed roadside bomb. Matt has learnt to ski and to scuba-dive on trips organised by Blesma.

Last year, Scott took part in the two-day event of the challenge and completed it in 14 hours but wanted to really challenge himself further, so entered himself into the one-day event.

Scott will be road biking, mountain running and river kayaking his way from Kumara Beach in the West Coast to Brighton Beach in the East Coast.

“Fortunately I work on a farm with mountains and rivers around me so it’s a great place to train. Every day I’m tackling steep hills and getting in loads of kilometres.”

Kathmandu Coast to Coast challenge begins on February 11^th. To support Scott on his challenge, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scott-waterman1

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:

Scott in training - http://blesma.org/media/439902/coppermine_scott-waterman.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 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.

 

Follow us on Twitter @Blesma

 

For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact

Jess Mackinnon, In-house journalist

E: ihj@blesma.org

T: 020 8590 1124

W: www.blesma.org