Double amputee takes on London Marathon to support fellow injured veterans

An injured war veteran who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan is set to take on the London Marathon to raise vital funds for military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veteran.

This Sunday (28^th April), Invictus Games champion Jack Cummings, 30, from Didcot, Oxfordshire, will push himself 26.2 miles along the streets of London in his everyday manual wheelchair, which has also been funded by the armed forces charity.

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.

The 30-year-old said: “Blesma have been there since the first day I was injured and have supported me in so many ways since. They paid for the wheelchair I’m doing the marathon in. As I’m a full-time wheelchair user, my wheelchair is my legs basically. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere.

“I also have a Support Officer who checks in with me regularly to see if I need any support and I’ve also done various rehabilitation activities with them. Their activities have been life-changing and showed me what is possible post-injury with a few adaptions. They are a great charity to support.”

In 2010, Jack was serving with the 101 Engineer Regiment on his second tour of Afghanistan as a bomb disposal specialist when an IED was triggered and exploded. Jack lost both his legs and spent one month in a coma.

The first-time marathon participant now sees the London Marathon as the latest challenge to test how far he has come since leaving Headley Court in 2014.

Speaking of the event, Jack said: “Training for the London Marathon hasn’t been easy. As the marathon takes place in April, it means I’ve had to train in the streets in my wheelchair in the Winter. I started out by doing eight miles and slowly built up to 11 miles, half marathon distances and in late March, I did my first 20 mile. I’m feeling quite nervous but also excited for the marathon.”

On Sunday 28^th April, Jack will be taking part in the 2019 Day Chair Virgin Money London Marathon. If you would like to support Jack as he raises vital funds for Blesma, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jack-cummings1

-ENDS-

 

Notes to Editor 

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

Jack during Blesma's Soldier Ride New York activity in 2018:
http://blesma.org/media/444359/soldier-ride-new-york-2018-1.jpg

http://blesma.org/media/444360/soldier-ride-new-york-2018-2.jpg

http://blesma.org/media/444361/soldier-ride-new-york-2018-3.jpg

Jack in service with the 101 Engineer Regiment: http://blesma.org/media/444362/jack-4.jpg