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British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma)

Also known as: Blesma

Blesma supports all serving and ex service men and women who lose limbs or the use of limbs, or one or both eyes in service or as a result of service. It also supports those ex service men and women who lose limbs not as a result of service or loss of use of limbs as a result of a traumatic incident. Blesma also supports widows and dependents of the above.

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Activities & Mission

Blesma supports all serving and ex service men and women who lose limbs or the use of limbs, or one or both eyes in service or as a result of service. It also supports those ex service men and women who lose limbs not as a result of service or loss of use of limbs as a result of a traumatic incident. Blesma also supports widows and dependents of the above.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£6,537,390
Latest Expenditure
£6,539,978

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 80.2%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 39% of UK Armed forces charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 62). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 80.1%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 32% of UK Armed forces charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 20.6%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 24% of UK Armed forces charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £5,433,182
Charitable Activities £0
Other Trading £0
Investments £1,087,686
Other Income £16,522

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £5,241,674
Raising Funds £1,298,304
Governance £51,461
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£6,537,390
£6,539,978£5,241,674£41,607,377£40,974,18653 / 209
2023
£5,365,543
£6,083,240£4,920,539£39,238,072£35,742,43253 / 92
2022
£3,956,288
£6,354,779£5,292,307£38,628,599£35,607,29352 / 86
2021
£4,225,724
£5,399,075£4,291,791£44,429,439£41,257,26450 / 287
2020
£4,757,648
£5,231,681£4,165,217£42,165,312£38,738,02548 / 307

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma)

What does British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) do?

Blesma supports all serving and ex service men and women who lose limbs or the use of limbs, or one or both eyes in service or as a result of service. It also supports those ex service men and women who lose limbs not as a result of service or loss of use of limbs as a result of a traumatic incident. Blesma also supports widows and dependents of the above.

How much income did British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) report in 2024?

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) reported total income of £6.54m and reported expenditure of £6.54m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma)?

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) has a program ratio of 80.2%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 39% of UK Armed forces charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 62 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) registered as a charity?

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 19 December 2000 as charity number 1084189. It has been registered for 26 years.

Who runs British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma)?

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) is governed by a board of 10 trustees. The chair of trustees is Edward Grant Martin Davis CB CBE. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) operate?

British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) operates across 2 areas: Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Is British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) a registered charity?

Yes — British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (blesma) is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1084189.

Details

Address
British Limbless Ex-Service Mens
Association
115 New London Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0QT
Registration Date
19 December 2000
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
3978256
Charity Number
1084189

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Trustees

Edward Grant Martin Davis CB CBE Chair
Alan Mistlin
Also governs 1 other charity
Alison Laura Grant
COLIN WHITWORTH
Lisa Johnston
Miles Courtenay Ambler
Neil Heritage
Richard Gilbert
Robert Kerrigan
Stephen White

Sectors & Classifications

Also Known As

  • Blesma

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
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