Joe Townsend's mum to climb Kilimanjaro for BLESMA
THE M0THER of an Eastbourne soldier who lost both legs in Afghanistan is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro later this year for charity.
Debi Hawkins' son Joe Townsend suffered appalling injuries when he stepped on a landmine in Helmand Province two years ago. The Royal Marine had been out on patrol with his colleagues when the blast happened.
He has undergone countless operations and is now a familiar figure in his wheelchair around Eastbourne. He is soon due to move into his own specially adapted bungalow in Hankham and later this month will receive the Freedom of the Borough of Eastbourne.
His mother Debi is now planning to trek the African mountain with a group of friends to raise money for BLESMA, the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association.
Together with Alison and Peter Rainer-Jones, Susanne Bush, Joanne Godfrey, Janis Crouch, Mick Ellis, Nick Pendleton and Lisa Walker, Debi will be climbing Kilimanjaro in October.
She said, "I asked Joe which of the charities he would like me to raise money for and his choice was BLESMA. They do so much for injured servicemen from the day they are injured to the end of their lives."
BLESMA directly supports all service men and women who lose limbs, the use of limbs or eyes or the sight of an eye in the service of their country with with rehabilitation – proving that there is life after amputation. The charity's youngest member is 19 and its eldest is 99.
Debi set up a justgiving page and anyone wishing to sponsor her can do so at www.justgiving.com/kilimanjaro-4-BLESMA
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 8 C
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