Injured veteran, who lost his eye while serving in Afghanistan, takes on London Marathon in aid of Blesma

david-chandler-1An injured former lance corporal, who lost his right eye while serving in Afghanistan, is taking on the London Marathon this weekend in aid of military charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

David Chandler, 36, from Little Billing, Northampton will run 26 miles to thank Blesma for always being there when he needed them.

In 2009, David was serving with the Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan, when he was part of a Quick Reaction Force travelling to a request for assistance. His soldiers began getting too close together, meaning any blast or contact would have inflicted more causalities, and so he ordered them to space out. Private Jason Williams then denoted an IED and David was caught the blast, which resulted in the loss of his right eye. Tragically Pte Williams was killed.

David said: “Running the London Marathon for Blesma is my way of thanking them for all their hard work. They’ve always been there for me and my family and as a family, we’ve been able to attend their family rehabilitation activity, which was great. I’ve also been able to attend some of their rehabilitation activities solo, too.”

The 36-year-old is hoping to run the Marathon in three hours 30 minutes, however after an accident on a snowy training day, he twisted his knee which may set him back. As extra motivation, Nyle, David’s son, has been cycling alongside him during training.

If you would like to support David’s London Marathon effort on Sunday 22nd April, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-chandler7

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.

david-chandler-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

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

David whilst in service: http://blesma.org/media/442731/david-chandler.jpg

David with his son, Nyle: http://blesma.org/media/442730/david-chandler-1.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 and Instagram @Blesma and Facebook /Blesma

For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact

Jessica Mackinnon, In-house journalist
E:
ihj@blesma.org
T: 020 8590 1124
W:
www.blesma.org

Our Executive Members

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