Follow this link for all Blesma’s 2017 highlights.
Read more
Follow this link for all Blesma’s 2017 highlights.
Read moreMike Saunders, 75, from Lowestoft, will spend the festive period with other vision-impaired ex-Service men and women at Blind Veterans UK’s Llandudno centre. Every year the charity invites beneficiaries who would otherwise have been alone at Christmas, like Mike, to spend the week at one of the charity’s training and rehabilitation centres.
Mike says: “It’s going to be great to spend Christmas with Blind Veterans UK. The staff seem to have a sixth sense because they always know what you need – they’re incredibly helpful and kind.”
Read moreThe Aged Veterans Project has recently been introduced in Herefordshire and Nottinghamshire. It is aimed at veterans aged 65 and over, their family members, dependents or carers to provide professional support that is tailored to their individual needs. The ex-Service community in the two councils has already greatly benefitted from the additional service available.
The project has been funded by the Aged Veterans fund and aims to improve the health and wellbeing of aged veterans, develop skills, reduce social isolation and enable independent living. The service is delivered by a consortium of organisations including Herefordshire Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Alzheimer’s Society, Herefordshire Veterans Support Group, The Cart Shed and the leader of the project the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS).
Read moreA team from scuba diving rehabilitation charity, Deptherapy, and PADI 5* dive centre Divecrew, have made a scuba diver’s wish for one, last dive come true this Christmas.
Colin Clements, 60, from Woodley, Berkshire, is suffering from an aggressive form of brain cancer that will take his life in the near future. Knowing he would be unable to dive again, Colin donated his diving equipment to Deptherapy so that other divers could be helped by his loss.
When contacting Colin to offer his thanks for this brave and selfless gesture, Richard Cullen, Deptherapy Chairman, was made aware that Colin had a dying wish to undertake one, last dive.
Read moreInternational bestselling crime and thriller writer, Peter James, famous for the Brighton-based Roy Grace series, is to host an ‘evening with’ in aid of Sussex charity, Care for Veterans.
Mr James, author of 12 consecutive Sunday Times no.1s whose books have sold 19 million copies worldwide, will talk about his life and extensive career, as well as answer questions from members of the audience. Some of his works will also be on sale at the event, and guests will have the opportunity to get them signed by the author.
Bill Hewson, 91 and from Kingston upon Thames, will spend the festive period with other vision-impaired ex-Service men and women at Blind Veterans UK’s Brighton centre for the third time. Every year the charity invites beneficiaries who are in need of respite, like Bill, to spend the week at one of the charity’s training and rehabilitation centres.
Bill says: “I’ll be spending Christmas at the centre with my wife Rita. We’ve been married for 65 years and I love her very much but now that she has dementia I’m both her husband and her carer.
Read moreDeptherapy, the charity that seeks to rehabilitate UK Armed Service personnel who have suffered life changing mental and/or physical challenges, and Crowthorne’s PADI 5* dive centre Divecrew, are teaming up to grant a scuba diver his last wish this Christmas.
When Colin Clements and his friend Daphne Pearson walked into Crowthorne-based PADI dive centre Divecrew, no one expected what was to happen next.
Colin, 60, from Woodley, Berkshire, is suffering from an aggressive form of brain cancer that will take his life in the near future.
Read more47 year old Jamie Weller from Nottingham, who recently brought home four bronze medals from this year’s Invictus Games, is taking on a new challenge. The former Navy Aircraft Engineer trekked for 13 days across Nepal on this extreme and once in a life time challenge to reach the base of Mount Everest. The challenge was organised by and raised money for Help for Heroes (H4H).
When Jamie lost his central vision he lost more than just the majority of his eyesight. He lost the ability to pursue his dream of a life in the military.
Read moreFollow the link to see Blesma’s Impact Video for 2017, filmed at this year’s Remembrance Parade in London. It is a brief summary of some of the highlights of what has been achieved over the past 12 months and a taster of what is to come in 2018.
Read moreWith Christmas just around the corner, disabled veterans at The Royal Star & Garter Homes welcomed babies and toddlers to a fun-filled, Christmas themed multi-sensory class held at the Charity’s Solihull Home. Residents were invited to join in the festive fun alongside the youngsters. The class was run by Hartbeeps, as part of an ongoing partnership between the Solihull Home and the local group to help bring generations together.
Read more
Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
