News - All Disabled Crew to Sail Atlantic

Following the success of 2005 in completing the Atlantic Race Challenge that year, the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association are once again crewing an all amputee yacht from Sao Vincente, Cape Verde Islands to Bridgetown, Barbados.

Departing from the UK 3 November they sail from Sao Vincente 8 November and are scheduled to arrive in Bridgetown 21 November dependant on weather conditions.

The crew is made up of twelve BLESMA Members who have all lost limbs, in fact some of them are double leg amputees, whilst serving their country.  They will be accompanied by a representative from the American Wounded Warriors who lost a limb in Iraq and a BBC film crew who will be recording all their exploits as they battle the elements.

Ernie Stables spokesman for BLESMA said, “Events of this nature are of great importance to the rehabilitation of our Members as they place both physical and mental demands on the participants. We strive to prove that no challenge is beyond their capabilities following their horrific injuries”

For further information:

Please contact Ed Lloyd Owen or Simon Mundell on 020 7993 3833 or email: elo@oneismore.com or simon@oneismore.com

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Notes to Editors:

About BLESMA

BLESMA, which began as an idea among wounded soldiers living in Glasgow in 1920 - and struggling in “the land fit for heroes”, was formed as a national charity in 1932.

Today, BLESMA aids thousands of amputees of all ages, from those who served during WWII, to recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions. There are currently 4,200 members.

The Association has a national headquarters in London, two care homes in Blackpool and Crieff (Scotland) and local branches throughout the UK and a nationwide welfare service.

The Blackpool home is located on the southern edge of Blackpool and is only four hundred yards from the beach. It was set up in 1948 and provides nursing and residential care for ex-service men and women. The Home in Crieff looks south to the Orchills and was purpose built in the mid sixties. Both Homes provide full residential and nursing services in up to date en-suite accommodation. They are also very popular with BLESMA Members for convalescence, respite or simply a break amongst old friends. Both Homes have disabled adapted coaches and residents and visitors enjoy regular excursions. They are lively places.

BLESMA has its own very effective and focused Welfare Service. It has a number of Members still serving in HM Forces and it counsels and helps rehabilitate all new casualties once they return from conflict zones and its expertise and experience is valued and appreciated by the Armed forces and MoD authorities. Its rehabilitation work makes use of the fellowship of shared experience and is physically demanding and challenging. BLESMA’s work goes on.