Providing support to limbless and injured veterans for life
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight in the honourable service of our country.
Our Mission
To assist limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is an Armed Forces charity dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limbloss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. We support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK.
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Mac's Rehabilitation Journey Towards The 2025 Invictus Games
Strongman Mac McLaren has been through an incredible transition, ditching his 6,000-calorie daily intake and shedding three stones to make the UK wheelchair rugby team for the 2025 Invictus Games. The former soldier, who won the World’s Strongest Disabled Man for three years running, needed a drastic transformation to build up his athletic capacity and stamina to compete in the high octane team sport of wheelchair rugby. “It was some change as I would eat six meals a day for strongman events which need explosive power while wheelchair rugby is non-stop and all about aerobic capacity, stamina and endurance,” says Mac, a former Royal Highland Fusilier, who had his right leg amputated because of long-running pain and complications following injuries while serving in Bosnia, Northern Ireland and Iraq. Mac, from Gillingham, Kent, first tried out for wheelchair rugby – when it was called murderball - in 2019 but turned to strongman events after he failed to make the UK squad. “I tried unsuccessfully three times before so I was delighted to get selected this time and even more proud to be made captain of the team,” adds 46-year-old Mac, who has been supported by the charity Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, in his quest for sporting glory. Mac has gone through rigorous training to make it to the Invictus Games “Wheelchair rugby is fast and furious and it took me a while to adapt after reducing my daily intake from 6,000 to 1,500 calories and dropping down to 13 stone. But I’m in great shape and it is fantastic to be part of a great squad that has really gelled. We are definitely going out there to win. “Having the support of Blesma has been crucial to me being able to train and compete at both strongman events and for the Invictus Games.” The UK will be battling 12 other nations in the wheelchair rugby event and must triumph in pool games against New Zealand and Italy to progress to the knock-out stages with all matches being played on February 13th, 2025. The Games, which will attract more than 500 competitors from 23 nations, runs from February 8th to 16th, 2025. “This journey started in 2019 for me and it is great to have made so much progress and to be able to spread the word for disability sports,” says Mac, who trains every week with the Saracens club and regularly with the UK squad. Mac Mclaren in training with other athletes ahead of the 2025 Invictus Games “It is an absolute honour to represent my country and be captain, and we want to show the world what the UK is made of. “There’s been a lot of effort and sacrifices and I couldn’t have got here without my partner Clare. To go out there and wear the Union Jack representing my country again, as we did in the forces, is the ultimate.” Tony Bloomfield, Blesma’s Operations Director, adds: “Mac has done incredibly well to achieve so much as the World’s Strongest Disabled Man and then to make it to the Invictus Games. Blesma is proud to help him and other Members achieve their goals and live independent, fulfilled lives after injury.” Follow Mac's Instagram and Facebook profiles to find out more about his incredible journey to the Invictus Games. You can also follow Blesma's social channels on Facebook, Instagram and X, where we will be posting updates about our Members at the upcoming Invictus Games. Blesma are dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. We support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK. About Blesma
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Blesma Members take part in Therapeutic Water Rescues with Newfoundlands
A number of Blesma Members were recently pulled safely from a chilly lake in Leicestershire. This is anything but a shaggy dog story. Walker, a four-year-old Newfoundland, is intensely focused on his latest vital mission. Unfazed by the cold water and commotion, and oblivious to any risk, his only concern is to bring the people to safety. The giant dog has already plunged into the chilly lake repeatedly to demonstrate his impressive life-saving skills that, combined with his gentle personality traits, provide a reassuring presence to those in ‘danger’. Thankfully for the Blesma Members who are being pulled from the water back to the banks by Walker and the other dogs, this is just a simulation exercise; an interesting day out with rescue dogs, whose swimming abilities have been an asset to fishermen and sailors for centuries. The Newfoundlands swimming abilities have been an asset to fishermen and sailors for centuries. Sometimes, the best therapy comes with a wagging tail and a big splash! “It has been an incredible experience and the dogs were simply marvellous,” says Sarah Criddle, Blesma Outreach Officer Midlands, who organised the event in Leicestershire. “A friend of mine who is a paramedic had been to a similar event and said how good it was. I’m always looking for different and interesting things for our Members to try, and this sounded like it would be perfect! “I got in touch with Pete Lewin, who runs the events, to find out a bit more. He had never worked with a group like Blesma before, but we discussed what we’d like to do and what the requirements would be, and Pete worked out how the day would run,” says Sarah, who served in the military for 13 years and worked in employment support before joining Blesma. I was intrigued to try it because I’d not heard of anything like it. I wasn’t sure what to expect – it’s not every day you get rescued by a giant dog! Former Marine Chay Coulbert “On the day, the Members and their carers were all able to get into the water and wait for the dogs to jump in and swim out to them. They were all ‘rescued’ by grabbing onto the dogs’ harnesses and letting the dogs pull them back to the bank. Afterwards, everyone also had the chance to just sit and relax with these super- friendly dogs out of the water. It was a chance to get back to nature, and the wellbeing factor was a really powerful part of the day.” Newfies connect with people Seven Blesma Members, along with their carers and family members, made their way to Stanton Lakes in Leicestershire where they were kitted out with wetsuits and briefed by Pete Lewin, a Newfoundland breeder and trainer, who was supported on the day by a number of volunteers from the paramedics and several police forces. Seven Blesma Members, along with their carers and family members Pete, who is himself a paramedic, has been organising emotional support swims, water rescue demonstrations and educational visits with his dogs for more than 10 years with the aim of boosting mental health and wellbeing while demonstrating the dogs’ life-saving abilities. Newfoundlands can grow to 28 inches tall and can weigh up to 80kg, and their webbed paws and thick, water-resistant coat make them surprisingly agile in the water and relatively immune to cold temperatures. “Newfies are renowned for their abilities in the water. They are not authorised to be used for rescue in the UK, but they are used by emergency services in other countries where they have even been known to leap from helicopters to help people in distress in the water!” says Pete. “But they are much more than simply great rescue dogs; all Newfies seem to have incredible personalities that connect with people, and being in their company often has an amazing restorative and uplifting impact. “On a previous event that we ran with a different group, one particular lady had incredibly low mood and was really struggling with her mental health, but when the dog swam out to her she said it was like the Newfie was looking into her soul. The experience gave her an amazing boost and she is still here today, perhaps in part because of the dogs! “These are big dogs, but their characters are 10 times bigger. They just have an incredible ability to calm and uplift people. We’ve had other experiences of people who have been on the brink, really struggling to find any positive feelings about themselves, who have been completely changed by spending time with the dogs. The dogs put their head in your lap and just seem to know when you’re in a bad way.” Richard Gilbert experience Blesma Member and Trustee Richard Gilbert, a former PTI in the RAF who has also served in the Metropolitan Police, loves adrenaline-fuelled sports “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the whole day was therapeutic and calming” “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the whole day was therapeutic and calming,” says Richard. “It was surreal because you just lie in the water while the dogs drag you back to the bank. They seem to manage it with little effort and no noise. It doesn’t seem like a chore for them, so it makes it all very calming. The whole thing just put me in a reflective mood. “Pete, who trains the dogs and runs the event, is fantastic. He had never done an event for amputees before so this was a little bit ofa learning curve for him as well as for us. But being a paramedic, he has an understanding of the challenges. Jumping into a cold, mossy lake was a complete change from other Blesma activities, but everyone got a lot from it.” Richard, who is a member of a veterans’ motorbike rehab team, is two years into life as a Blesma Trustee and is part of the drive to ensure the Association is in the best health to fulfil its objectives for Members. “There are challenges from the financial climate, but we are all working hard to address them,” he says. “Blesma continues to put its Members first, supporting them through life, and part of that is being able to put on incredible activities such as swimming with Newfoundland dogs. “It was a great experience and I’m sure it is something that could be repeated so that other Members are able to benefit.” An amazing experience One Member who got a lot out of the day was Alan Farr, whose right leg was amputated above the knee two years ago. “Getting into the wetsuits was a bit of a struggle, but there was great banter and everyone just got on with it,” says Alan, who lives in Derbyshire and served for 19 years in the 1st Battalion Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire. “I got out in the water, and to have a dog come out to me and give me a ride back was like nothing I’d experienced. It was superb! These dogs are absolutely fantastic. I had actually drifted out quite a way and then called the dog, and he just splashed into the water and swam out to me no trouble. I grabbed hold of his harness and off he went. Amazing! These are big dogs but their characters are bigger The dogs put their head in your lap and just seem to know when you’re in a bad way “I was able to go out into the water three times and thoroughly enjoyed each time. Later, it was good to just sit on the bank and be with the dogs – they were so chilled. You felt secure with them and it was very relaxing; they’re gentle giants!” Former Royal Marine Chay Coulbert, 35, who was injured on his second tour of Afghanistan, found extra comfort from the event as he was dealing with the loss of his Irish Wolfhound, Frank. “Frank passed away six months ago, so it was good to be in the water playing with these dogs. They are enormous but really friendly, and I really enjoyed the experience,” says Chay, a single leg amputee from Staffordshire who served two tours in Afghanistan before being injured. “You could just relax as they dragged you through the water. As an ex-Marine, it was good to be in the water, but this was a totally new experience and something I would do again. I was intrigued to try it because I’d not heard of anything like it. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was really good and I would have liked to have done more – it’s not every day you get to jump in a lake and get rescued by a giant dog! These Blesma group experiences are always great as standalone activities, but then there’s also the added element of being with other people who have gone through similar situations – many of them more difficult than mine. That definitely helps to put things into perspective.” It gave everyone involved some time to just forget about everything that was going on in their lives. It was like nothing any of us had experienced. Big dogs making a massive impact After an exhausting day in the lake, Pete is busy drying off the dogs (not an inconsiderable challenge!) and putting them safely back in his van for a well-earned rest. “The Blesma team were incredible,” he says. “It was a pretty cold day, but everyone just got involved and there was great banter between us all. There were no complaints, and it was just inspiring to be around all the Members and their families. There were no complaints, and it was just inspiring to be around all the Members and their families. “People ask me if I should be taking people with disabilities out in the water, but why shouldn’t I? Why should they not be allowed to do this? When I first started thinking about running these events, we went to a lake with some friends and their son, who has multiple sclerosis. When he got into the water with the dogs his first words were: ‘I’m free!’ Hopefully, we are making a small difference. It is very simple stuff; swimming with the dogs is such a small thing, but it has a massive impact. “It is the most humbling thing to see people turn up at the start of the day unsure of what to expect and then coming away hours later having said that it was more than they could have imagined. I loved having the Blesma Members here and would definitely welcome them back.” Sarah is now looking to organise a repeat event with Pete’s Newfies some time in the new year. “It was a fantastic day, something completely different and I’m sure other Members would love to give it a try,” she says. “It gave everyone involved some time to just forget about everything that was going on in their lives and marvel at what these beautiful dogs can do. It was like nothing any of us had experienced before.” The Activities Team has published its calendar of events for 2025. Discover what’s on offer and find out how to apply for your free place here
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D Day Veteran Roy Hayward dies aged 99
Roy Hayward, one of the last surviving veterans from the D-Day Landings, has died peacefully, aged 99. Roy, who was celebrated as a national hero at the 80th anniversary of the landings attended by Prince William earlier this year, was just 19 when he joined the Allied invasion. He lost both his legs when the tank he was in took a direct hit as his unit pushed into Normandy from Gold Beach and Roy returned to his job working in a bank after rehabilitation from his injuries. He received a standing ovation at the commemoration in Portsmouth in June this year and was personally thanked by members of the Royal Family and senior figures for his service and sacrifice but he said with characteristic modesty: My wounds were a bit of bad luck and my thoughts are always with those who did not return home. Roy was awarded France’s highest military honour, the Legion d’Honneur Roy attended the 80th anniversary of D-Day and was personally thanked by members of the Royal Family Roy joined Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, after the war and represented its Members’ interests as Isle of Wight branch treasurer when he retired from the bank. “Roy was a remarkable person and he will be sadly missed by so many people,” said Vivienne Buck, chief executive of Blesma, which has championed the welfare of amputee veterans since the aftermath of WW1. “He was typical of that generation in that he did not complain or dwell on what had happened. He just got on with life and even commuted from his home in Surrey, cycling to his local station on rudimentary prosthetics to catch a train into London every day. “Roy’s first concern was always for others and he worked hard to represent Blesma Members during his time as a branch official. I know he took a lot of satisfaction in helping other amputees and veterans. “We were delighted to have known Roy at Blesma and honoured to have had him as a Member of our charity.” Roy, who was awarded France’s highest military honour, the Legion d’Honneur, rarely spoke about his part in D-Day but he joined the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Tank Regiment as an 18-year-old as the Allies geared up for the invasion. His unit landed in the evening and were soon in the action and he was in a Sherman tank as they clashed with the 12th SS Panzer Division at Fontenay-le-Pesnel. His tank was hit by a shell and immediately started to burn. He managed to push a fellow crew member out and, despite horrific injuries, get himself clear before it was engulfed in flames. Roy was rescued by medics and had his legs amputated at a nearby field hospital before being shipped back to Portsmouth for extensive treatment and rehabilitation in four different hospitals. He joined Blesma and stated: “I got the feeling they were behind me and they were going to see I would get the pension and allowances I was entitled to that I might not have been able to do myself. I felt they were there on my side and always available, I didn’t need too much at first but it was good to know they were in your corner. It gave a feeling of confidence.” Roy met his wife Barbara at the bank and they married in 1948 before later settling at Seaview, on the Isle of Wight. Roy Hayward lost both his legs when the tank he was in took a direct hit as his unit pushed into Normandy from Gold Beach
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Whether you want to organise a big fundraiser in a group, take part in a Charity Event, complete a Charity Challenge on your own, or get your company involved in raising money for our limbless veterans, then go to our fundraising pages where you will find all the information you need, as well as events you can be part of.
