Four Blesma Members have become the first all-amputee team to successfully swim the English Channel.
Stephen White, Jamie Gillespie, Conrad Thorpe and Craig Howorth, who are all single leg amputees, completed the swim on Friday 5 September in 12 hours and 14 minutes.
The four military veterans swam as a relay in what were far from ideal conditions. They adhered to the Official Channel Swimming Association (CSA) rules which include not wearing wetsuits in water temperatures that average at 18°C for September. They did not wear their prosthetic legs out of choice.
The team so far have raised almost £3,000 which will go towards Blesma’s work of helping other injured service personnel live with limb loss.
Conrad Thorpe said after the swim: “The crossing of the English Channel by the 4-man, ex-military, amputee team demanded an explosion of sustained swimming effort from the whole team in poor weather and deteriorating sea conditions. I am proud to have been a member of the ‘Leg’ team and a part of this success for Blesma and my limbless comrades.”
Barry Le Grys, Chief Executive of Blesma, said: “Craig, Jamie, Stephen and Conrad all worked tremendously hard over many months to make the swim a record setting success on the day. This is what Blesma is all about; helping one another to overcome the daily challenge, believing and proving there is a full life after limb loss. They are an inspiration to all disabled persons. I would also like to express my gratitude on behalf of Blesma to Giovanna Richards, the team’s CSA Observer, who has supported the team throughout the build-up and the swim itself.”
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.