Charities & VolunteeringCharities & OrganisationsBLESMA celebrates 75 years of support for veterans BLESMA celebrates 75 years of support for veterans
11/07/2007
The British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association (BLESMA) has celebrated its 75th anniversary.
BLESMA, which began as an idea among wounded soldiers living in Glasgow in 1920 who were struggling to survive in the so-called “land fit for heroes”, was formed as a national charity in 1932, specifically dedicated to helping limbless serving and ex-service men and women, their dependants and in particular their widows.
The objects of the Association are to promote the welfare and well being of all those who have lost a limb or limbs, or the use of limbs, or one or both eyes as a result of service to their country. Today, BLESMA helps over 4,200 amputees of all ages, from those who served during WWII, through Korea, Peace Keeping operations worldwide, Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands and of course more recent conflicts.
The celebrations were held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, attended by Royal Patron HRH The Duke of Gloucester, and hosted by BLESMA’s National President Major General The Duke of Westminster. There were a range of presentations and ceremonies, including a service of remembrance and dedication, music from the Band of the Corps of Royal Signals and a stunning parachute drop by the Red Devils.
BLESMA has its own very effective and focused Welfare Service, with a number of members still serving in HM Forces. They counsel and help rehabilitate all new casualties once they return from conflict zones, and their expertise and experience is greatly appreciated by the serving forces and MoD authorities.
For more information call 0208 590 1124 or visit the website linked below.