Blesma AGM 2010

BLESMA AGM took place in Swindon on the weekend of 19^th and 20^th June where Sir Cedric Delves Joined The Board.

The Membership elected a new Trustee to the Board –Lt Gen Sir Cedric Delves KBE DSO.  He is a Member in his own right and has strong interest in all matters prosthetic and in lifelong support for veterans.  

Members come Together

The Welfare Seminar which followed the AGM brought together members and the welfare team volunteers from across the country. 

This year the focus was on prosthetic development which is in line with the Trustees’ view that BLESMA remains the most experienced amputee service charity and it is a voice that needs to be listened to.  

BLESMA member James Gillespie of PACE Rehabilitation gave a fascinating lecture about the future of prosthetics and he was followed by a team from RSL Steeper consisting of Robin Cooper, Mark Davies and Steve Carter, who talked about the Bebionic Hand, which had the audience almost spellbound and the limb in a day concept which to many in the audience seemed  a most unlikely eventuality.  In the event all were left wondering why this should not be the normal expectation.

Awards Ceremony

In the evening we held the Annual BLESMA Award Dinner. 

Our guests were the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire,  Mr John Bush accompanied by Mrs Bush, the Mayor of Swindon Councillor Rex Barnett and the Lady Mayoress and Group Captain John Gladston, Station Commander of RAF Lyneham and Mrs Gladston.

Many recently wounded British soldiers and new Blesma Members fly back into UK from Afghanistan in RAF Lyneham aircraft.

An Inspiration to all

The BLESMA Awards were given out by the Lord Lieutenant.

They included Bombardier Ben Parkinson who received a special prize, the Jack Trigg Award for High Achievement, collected on his behalf by Johnathan Lee. The stirring citation read out to all present made the choice of Ben absolutely clear – it was partly based on his amazing grit and drive during the BLESMA Crieff activities week.  Ben tried everything and was an inspiration to all who witnessed his real endeavours.

After dinner we were entertained by the wonderful local singers the Kentwood Choir who gave up their Sunday evening to come and sing for us – absolutely wonderful! 

Facing the Future

BLESMA is a social body – a body of people who understand what each fellow member has been through. 

Discussing issues of importance in such a setting is very enjoyable and immensely helpful.  We all know how difficult the long life ahead is going to be for our recent casualties and we are looking ahead to clear that long, long road in readiness for them.

So, if you would like to support our troops we would appreciate your help.

• Click here to receive further information about wounded soldiers
• Click here to vote how informative this injured servicemen site is
• Click here to donate to BLESMA