APOLOGIES FOR THE LACK OF NEWS APPEARING HERE AS WE ARE CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING TO RELAUNCH AN IMPROVED AND MORE USER FRIENDLY WEBSITE. PLEASE BEAR WITH US AND WE HOPE THAT THE SITE WILL BE ACTIVE MID TO LATE JULY.
One event of great interest is currently being carried out by one of our Members, Nigel Rogoff, who injured himself in a horrific televised skydiving accident at a Premier League football match, has embarked upon a three-month kayak around the British Isles in the name of charity.
Aiming to raise £50,000 for BLESMA, Nigel set off from Greenwich Yacht Club on 13th May and expects to travel estimated an 4500km by sea around the British Isles. As well as raising money for the charity, ‘Our Journey’ aims to demonstrate that there is life after trauma. Nigel is being assisted and supported by Richard Van Niekerk a friend from South Africa where Nigel now lives with his wife Sarah and their twin boys.
Please take a look at his website http://www.ourjourney.co.za where you can keep up with his tremendous exploit and if you would like to sponsor him please go to http://www.justgiving.com/our journey
We all wish him well for the journey.
Damian Manning at the Hartford Ski Spectacular 2007
BLESMA Team at the 2007 Hartford Ski
Spectacular 2007
Adam Nixon day 3 in Breckenridge during the Hartford Ski
Spectacular 2007
Jon Butterworth day 3 in Breckenridge during the Hartford Ski
Spectacular 2007
Stuart Pearson day 3 in Breckenridge during the Hartford Ski
Spectacular 2007
Ibrar Ali on day 3in Breckenridge during the Hartford Ski
Spectacular 2007
Mark Sutcliffe day 3. Three tracking Breckenridge Hartford Ski
Spectacular 2007
The party met at the Comfort Inn Heathrow Airport 28 November. Everyone arrived in good spirits and on-time apart from Rob Maxwell who not only arrived late, but had his Land Rover clamped and towed away for illegal parking (not even his special machine got him out of this one).
The party were greeted by the General and Assistant General Secretary who said some kind and inspirational words, wishing the party all the very best for the forthcoming event. They also thanked out sponsors Mike and Sean Walsh who paid for the BA Economy return flights to the Denver. Ian and Lisa Brown from DeMontfort Wealth Management who purchased the ski clothing. The party really appreciated the generosity of these individuals.
We all enjoyed a splendid meal in the company of Ernie and Pat Stables. Ernie even bought a round.
The next day breakfast at 7am, departed at the Hotel dressed in BLESMA / DeMontfort tops for the airport. Check in was excellent with BA providing 2 dedicated check-in lanes. We were fast tracked through customs and given access to the BA Lounge. The BA staff could not have been more helpful.
The flight landed on time in Denver, everyone really appreciated the additional leg room in the Economy Plus cabin. The 9 hours flight passed quickly for all, probably due to the number of drinks provided by the excellent cabin crew. We even received a visit from the Captain who got into a long discussion about sailing with Colin Rouse.
Denver and jet lag set in, so a quick pizza and bed. Next day, up bright and early to Breckenridge to acclimatise to the 9000ft altitude. During registration, we got to meet the Disabled Sports USA and Wounded Warrior project team. Everyone was given a goody bag and told to meet up at 13:00 for lessons. All were nervous but completed their first lessons without problem. Everyone without exception wanted to ski for a full day instead of the half day that is allocated to all participants. After much negotiation, Colin managed to get full day instruction for the BLESMA team.
A few quotes from the guys:-
When you nail that first turn, it’s amazing and it just gets better.
This is the best thing I have done in my life! I could go home now.
Thanks to the highly professional guides, my first outing since losing my site was fantastic fun and injury Free.
Damian Manning day 2 on Mono Ski Breckenridge Hartford Ski
Spectacular 2007
Jon Butterworth day 3 on a board Breckenridge Hartford Ski
Spectacular 2007
Rob Maxwell and instructor in Breckenridge during the Hartford Ski
Spectacular 2007
BLESMA Member Chris Herbert 3 tracking in Breckenridge during the Hartford Ski
Spectacular
Blind BLESMA Member Alex Donnellly Skiing in Breckenridge during the Hartford Ski
Spectacular
BLESMA Member Jamie Gillespie snowboarding in Breckenridge during the Hartford Ski
Spectacular
The Blesma team meet BA
Pictured below. The group below the at the BA Lounge reception in London Heathrow Airport
Stop Press.
The Blesma team conquer Colorado!
Following a hugely successful and exciting week skiing with the American Wounded Warrior Project, Blesma members complete their final day of the Hartford Ski Spectacular in style, as they ski in to Breckenridge in group formation on the last day!
It was remarked by the local instructors that we were the first out and last in each day!
Pictured below. The group below the U.S. Flag - right Mick Brennan takes his first run on a mono ski
Our Supporters
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The BLESMA group will be joining other disabled sportsmen including ex. U.S. Forces
participating in the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project.
If you are interested in learning more about our supporters, click on the logos above to go to their web sites.
"STOP PRESS" The BLESMA Atlantic Challenge 2005 comes to a succesful conclusion after 20 days at sea.
BLESMA is a National Charity, Registered Charity Number 1084189 for Limbless and Ex-Service Men and Women, their dependants and Widows. The objectives of the Association are to promote the welfare of all those of either sex who have lost a limb or limbs, or one or both eyes, or the use of limbs as a result of service in any branch of Her Majesty's Forces or Auxiliary Forces and to assist needy dependants of such service limbless. We will also help those who lose a limb after service.
Today, BLESMA are aiding thousands of amputees of all ages. From those who served during WWII, to recent conflicts and peace keeping missions.
Categories of Membership are:
Ordinary Member Shall be open to all those Serving and Ex-Serving Men and Women who, whilst serving or as a result of Service in any branch of HM Forces or Auxiliary Forces:
Have lost a limb or an eye
Have permanent loss of speech, hearing or sight of an eye or the use of a limb. Within the context of Membership, "permanent" shall mean not less than 80% loss of speech, hearing or sight
Associate Member Shall be open to:
All Men and Women of civilian status who lose a limb or an eye as a result of War Service or enemy action
All Ex-Service Men and Women who have lost a limb or an eye other than through Service related causes
Honorary Member Shall be open by invitation of the Trustees to all Men and Women who accept and support the objects of the Association except that such category of Member shall only have the right to vote when holding or occupying a Branch Appointment.
The Association needs to raise a minimum of 1 million pounds each year within the parameters of the objects of the Association. Included amongst these are the following
a. Provide permanent residential and convalescent holiday accommodation through its two nursing and residential Homes at Blackpool and Crieff in Perthshire.
b. Provide a counselling service to individuals pre and post amputations.
c. Furnish advice on Pensions, Allowances, make representation to Government Departments on individual entitlements and, where necessary, represent Members and their dependants at Pensions Appeal Tribunals.
d. Provide financial assistance to Members and Widows in the form of Grants
e. Plan and organise rehabilitation programmes for the Amputee.
f. Assist in finding suitable employment for Amputees.
g. Provide limited funding for research and development into artificial limbs and in the training of prosthetists and orthotists.
h. Act as a Consumer Watchdog in respect of the provision of artificial limbs, wheelchairs and appliances.
The invaluable support of many, enables BLESMA to continue its work and maintain a high level of care for those who wish to lead a normal life.
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 Homeward Bound from Breckenridge
All good things come to an end, Friday, December 15, 2006
Hartford ski Spectacular last days
The Closing ceremony and gone to the dogs Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Rehabilitation and the Casino
Wednesday night is Casino night Saturday, December 9, 2006
BLESMA tearn to ski
BLESMA team learn to ski Thursday, December 7, 2006
BLESMA members join forces with Wounded Warrior Project
BLESMA members join forces with Wounded Warrior Project Tuesday, December 5, 2006
BLESMA team arrive in Denver
The BLESMA team taking part in the
hartford Ski Spectacular arrived in Denver without problems. Sunday, December 3, 2006
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2004
A report on our AGM held this year at the Hilton Hotel, Swindon where we were joined by our friends from the Federation Des Amputes De Guerre De France, represented by Colonel Jean Baby, Monsieur Maurice Desmier and their respective ladies. Sunday, September 26, 2004
SUMMER 2004 BLESMAG EDITORIAL
The latest thoughts and opinions of the General Secretary from the Summer Edition of BLESMAG. Wednesday, September 1, 2004
SPRING 2004 BLESMAG EDITORIALLY SPEAKING
Read about the promotion of our National President The Duke of Westminster, new Trustee appointed, the thoughts and comments of the General Secretary and change of Area Welfare Officer for the South West of England. Monday, May 17, 2004
RECENT FUNDRAISING FOR THE ASSOCIATION
A round-up of recent events and activities undertaken on behalf of BLESMA reviewed by the General Secretary. Sunday, May 16, 2004
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British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association
