Michael Lewis
In 2008 Corporal Michael Lewis who served with 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment was injured while serving in Afghanistan.
With only six weeks left to go of his tour before he returned home. Michael and his platoon were engaged by the Taliban and during an intense fire-fight Michael was hit by a British Artillery 105mm round. 

He was left with blast wounds which nearly severed his left arm, shrapnel wounds to his left knee and blast wounds to his right leg which led to a below knee amputation. 

The injures lead to Michael being medically discharged from the Army in 2012 and life as Michael knew it was changed forever, consequently his dream of serving in the British Armed Forces was over.
Through Michael’s treatment, rehabilitation and transition from military to civilian street Blesma has been there for Michael. From giving him advice on Prosthetics to funding for a wet room at his home.

Michael said “Competing in the Nuclear Rush is a way of me giving back to such a great organisation. I want to promote Blesma for what it is, showing that the money really does help the individuals like myself – it doesn’t just sit in a big pot while managers sit around talking. The figures you read are true and the money really does go to help the wounded, injured and sick members of our Armed Forces. I will be competing with my brother in law Joe Byrne who served with 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers together we plan raise money for Blesma.

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the loss of use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. We support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK and overseas. We work tirelessly for our Members when the conflicts that have affected their lives are no longer a focal point in the nation’s media. Since 1932, we have been the only national Service charity that supports limbless veterans for the duration of their lives. Our Members range from the youngest amputee veterans to those who fought in WWII, some having lived with limb loss for more than half a century. Modern medicine transforms the physical injury, but it is a complicated process to treat the emotional trauma and related lifelong health problems.Blesma provides a network where Members not only enjoy support from our professional Welfare Team, but where they have the opportunity to engage with others who have similar injuries and backgrounds to themselves, building an important fellowship with each other to overcome everyday battles.