Manager David Moyes and players welcomed military veterans to the training ground for Operation Christmas Cheer Appeal which is part of the Club’s strong association with Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.
The veterans spent the day watching the players going through their paces at Rush Green then had time to chat with them before being presented with Christmas hampers full of goodies for the festive period.
The campaign links up Blesma’s corporate supporters with its members who might be spending all or part of the Christmas period on their own.
Blesma members Barry May, Nigel Smith and Matt Weston, who are all West Ham fans and are attending today’s match, all live on their own and were delighted to visit their Club.
“It was fantastic to meet the players and see what goes on at training. They and all the staff were lovely and couldn’t do enough for us,” said Barry May, 86, a former member of the Royal Artillery, originally from Romford, who saw active service in Egypt and Northern Ireland. “The players had time to chat with us and we’re really interested in us and Blesma.
“I saw active service but lost my left leg during the pandemic. It was a sad time because I also lost my wife Peggy and I’ll never replace her. It was a special treat to visit West Ham and I’m really looking forward to the game.”
Former Royal Engineer Matt Weston, 33, lost both his legs and an arm in an IED explosion in Afghanistan while on duty with a bomb disposal team when he was only 20, and has needed 50 operations during a lengthy rehabilitation journey.
“I came to my first West Ham game with Blesma six years ago and have since become a season ticket holder along with my late father Bruce,” he said. “He lived miles away from me so it was great that we could share time at the games together.
“Going to the training ground and meeting the players and staff and seeing the set up was amazing.
They were so welcoming and generous with their time. There’s a strong community and family ethos to the club and that shows in everything it does off the pitch and it’s no surprise they wanted to be part of the hamper campaign.
“The hampers will mean so much to Blesma Members who might find themselves on their own at Christmas.”
Nigel Smith, 64, from Aylesford, Kent, who was injured in Cyprus whilst serving in the Royal Navy, resulting in the loss of his right leg above knee, added: “David Moyes, the players and the staff had a great chat with us and there was lots of banter which was great. You couldn’t fault the day.
“The hampers are a great gesture and gratefully received.”
Chris Knight, Blesma’s Corporate and Regional Fundraising Manager, added: “West Ham and its incredible fans have always been very supportive of Blesma and these hampers are full of goodies such as chocolates, biscuits, tea, coffee, puzzle books, a Christmas card and decorations.
“As we all know Christmas should be a special time of year, but unfortunately this isn’t the case for everyone. Being alone at this time of year is difficult. When a Blesma Member receives a hamper from our ‘Operation Christmas Cheer Appeal’, it will give them a huge boost to know that somebody who doesn’t know them is thinking about them this Christmas.
“We want to make sure every Blesma Member who is alone at Christmas receives a hamper so we are hugely grateful to anyone who donates to the campaign and ensures that Members who have made sacrifices serving their country are remembered.”
Blesma has almost 3,000 Members who have been injured in service from World War 2 to current conflicts. Its mission is to help veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives and in 2022 – the charity’s 90th year – it helped 3,654 Members and their families. Its team maintains close touch with all Members including those who are elderly, live alone or are isolated, providing personal contact, advice and access to a range of grants from home improvements, wheelchairs and prosthetics to funding for work courses and activities.
To learn more about Blesma and its work with veterans visit www.blesma.org
This Christmas, Blesma is asking you to support our Christmas Hamper Appeal, helping us to care for lonely and isolated veterans. Text 23HAMPER followed by your donation amount to 70085, or, scan the QR Code on this page to donate £5.
