Littlestone Golf Club hosts BLESMA charity golf day

BLESMA, the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association's Golfing Society, enjoyed a brilliant charity event at Littlestone Golf Club earlier this month.

The day was well organised by a Littlestone Golf Club past captain, Bob Steward, himself a military amputee, and run by the current Secretary of the Kent County Golf Union, John Young, with help from numerous volunteers.

Sixty golfers participated with a military amputee playing in each four ball. Amongst the playing sponsors were General Sir Robert Pascoe, who held the post as Adjutant General prior to his retirement, and Sir David Phillips, former Chief Constable of Kent.

Each supporter wishing to play was asked to raise a minimum of £10 per hole, with the more determined raising considerably more. The money raised - in excess of £13,000 - will support the long-term rehabilitation and welfare of amputee service personnel.

There was one unusual factor that not only surprised me, but also certainly impressed me. Most of our amputee guests made no effort to cover their affliction and some seemed to wear their prosthetic limbs with the same pride as they would their medals for gallantry.  

This magnificent and memorable day ended with a Gala Dinner, when the President of Littlestone Golf Club, Lord Peter Imbert, QPM, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and Lord Lieutenant of London, spoke highly of the work that BLESMA has done and is still doing for the military amputees of this country.  

He gave a special mention to General Sir Robert Pascoe and Past Captain Bob Steward, who have devoted so very much of their time and energies to the welfare of Service & Ex-Service personnel.