Charity partners for 2014/15 campaign confirmed

These applications have now been considered and the partners chosen, with those who have succeeded doing so for their support of the military in a year which marks the 100th anniversary since the outbreak of World War I.

Bolton Wanderers Football Club are delighted to announce that our national partner will be Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, with Winston’s Wish being awarded the title of local partner.

There will be selected events held throughout the course of the season in support of both organisations. Please find information below on each of the charities and the services they offer

www.blesma.org More information on Blesma can be found by visiting their website at

With a residential home in Blackpool, wide ranging health and well-being services, sporting activities undertaken and innovative research commissioned, our Members are at the heart of what they do - all helped by the ceaseless fundraising activities of devoted Members and supporters alike.
 
Since then, the Association has lobbied successive governments to achieve improvements in pensions, in standards of artificial limbs and in the provision of suitable motor transport and employment opportunities.

During this period, the limbless gathered together in groups determined that if society would not help them, they would help themselves – and so, the Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association was born and grew, finally becoming a registered charity in 1932 as the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association, now Blesma, The Limbless Veterans

However, the comradeship of the trenches lived on with their losses serving as an introduction to friends who had who had met with similar misfortunes.  

Forty thousand service men lost limbs or eyes during the First World War and lived to return home, but numerous factors meant that they were unable to find work with 90% forced into unemployment following the conclusion of the war itself.

Blesma is a national military charity that supports servicemen and women who have lost limbs or eyesight whilst representing their country.  It is an organisation born out of World War I and has been supporting military personnel in need ever since. Blesma, The Limbless Veterans

Winston’s Wish is a project that supports bereaved children of military families here in the North West.

Winston’s Wish was set up in 1992 to meet the needs of bereaved children, young people and their families and since then, they have helped many thousands of youngsters begin to live with their loss.

When a child or young person from a military family is bereaved, in whatever circumstances, they may need additional support above and beyond their family, friends and military networks, and that is where Winston’s Wish is on hand to help. 

Support is offered in a variety of ways and has helped so many young people whose lives have been shattered by the tragic loss of a loved one.

To learn more about Winston’s Wish, please visit their website at www.winstonswish.org.uk.