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Commemorating D-Day- Fundraising With Blesma

Commemorating D-Day: Fundraising With Blesma

On Friday the 6th of June 1944, 81 years ago, the Allied fleet made its way across the English Channel, arriving at five beachheads across the Normandy coast. American, British and Canadian forces consisting of 156,000 troops completed the largest seaborne invasion in history. Soldiers landed under heavy fire, and thousands died to achieve victory at Normandy, eventually culminating in the liberation of France and the Allied victory in World War Two.

This week, thousands of people will gather to commemorate D-Day, remember those who passed and fundraise for veterans who have sustained life-changing injuries during their service.

One of those people is George Bromley, a Serving Officer in the Royal Engineers. His first command in 2015 was in 77 (Armoured) Engineer Squadron, who landed on D-Day for the liberation of France in 1944. The 39-year-old hosts yearly D-Day fundraisers and has participated in commemorative events in Normandy since 2015. In 2024, George was the first person to swim from Portsmouth to Sword Beach to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

George started fundraising for military charities after breaking his neck in a military rugby match in 2019. This led to the temporary loss of use of his left arm before a long journey to recovery in 2022. His first challenge was an unsupported 1,000-mile Solo Beeline Britain. He travelled from Lands’ End to John O’Groats in a straight line, which involved kayaking, swimming, climbing and walking, and raised over £10,000.

This year George is taking part in a gruelling fifty-mile, five-beach coastal swimming and walking challenge to raise funds for Blesma, the Limbless Veterans charity which provides serving and ex-service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss, lost the use of a limb, an eye or vision loss, in the honourable service of the United Kingdom.

George and the team

This week, George will be accompanied by partner Micol Flegenheimer. Micol is an Italian solicitor based in the UK whose Jewish grandparents fled Europe in 1939. They will be supported by a team of volunteers, including historian Peter Jones and Nadège Anturo, organiser of the 81st D-Day events on Sword Beach, with assistance from Nigel Bailey and Julie Kilvert-Jones.

Corps Security is sponsoring George’s journey in support of Blesma, and his pursuit to fundraise £5,000. George and his team will lay a wooden cross on behalf of Corps and Blesma at each of the five beaches that the Allied troops landed on.

Speaking about the challenge, George said: “There are lots of D-Day celebrations and events in landmark years such as the 75th or 80th anniversaries, but attention fades in the intervening years. I believe strongly that it is important to recognise what it means every year and I try my best to uphold the stories and memories of the greatest generation”.

“Our aim is to pay homage to the soldiers and officers who took part and to raise funds for Blesma, which provides lifelong support to veterans who lost limbs or the use of limbs. Blesma was crucial in the aftermath of WW2 looking after injured veterans and continues to play a vital role for injured service personnel.”

The challenge

As they cover the fifty-mile stretch of beaches, here is what lies ahead for George and his team:

  • Day 1, Tuesday 3rd of June: Today, the group will commemorate those lost at Utah Beach by laying a commemorative wooden cross and discussing what happened on both sides of the conflict.
  • The team will then begin their first swimming leg, covering 3km of ocean to the La Baie des Veys, and then travel to the Grandcamp-Maisy commune to rest.
  • Day 2, Wednesday 4th of June: Moving on to Omaha Beach, the team will travel to the bunker WN 65 in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, where they will learn more about what took place in 1944.
    From there, they will continue East, with some of the team on foot and some swimming to reach the vicinity of Arromanches-les-Bains commune.
  • Day 3, Thursday 5th of June: The team will continue east to the Gold Beach, stopping at the British Normandy Memorial. The team will then continue to Juno Beach.
  • Day 4, Friday 6th of June: The final sprint will see the team arrive at Sword Beach on Friday at 11:00 hours. Swimming the final mile, they will take part in a final D-Day cross laying and a two-minute silence, before they take part in D-Day celebrations.

On the beach, the team will be serenaded by the Military Wives Choir, the children of Normandy and dignitaries of Lion-sur-Mer and Normandy. Elements of the 77 (Armoured) Engineer Squadron will also receive George and Micol with RAF Spitfires flying overhead. A parade through town and celebrations will continue throughout Friday, well into the evening. Attendees will also include the engineers who landed on the beach in 1944. See more of the celebrations on Corps’ LinkedIn.

D-Day Swing festival

Celebrations won’t stop there. On Saturday, 7th June, the team will be part of wider celebrations as they return to Lion-sur-Mer, including taking part in the military motorcade to Pegasus Bridge to celebrate the Airborne Landings.

Their efforts will finally be celebrated as part of the fourth annual D-Day Swing festival. The celebration for all at Sword Beach will feature a grand parade, featuring a display of vintage military and civilian vehicles, followed by pipers.

Celebrations will also include the display Spitfire and an educational discussion on the airmen of D-Day; a photo exhibition and a ‘Duty to Remember’ conference; and of course, music and dance balls, with live concerts, swing dancing and fireworks taking celebrations well into the evening.

Remarkable resilience

George’s challenge this week is a remarkable example of resilience for an incredibly worthy cause. Corps is honoured to support George along his journey which you can follow here.

George may complete his fundraiser this weekend, but veterans need your support all year round. All donations are greatly appreciated and can be made here.

Supporting Blesma

Blesma was originally formed as the Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association in the aftermath of World War One, providing community and support for one another. Today, the organisation offers eligible members advice and information on prosthetics and veteran compensation schemes, financial assistance and community activities.

The charity also advocates for prosthetics and disabled provisions for its members and has outreach officers who provide one-on-one advice and emotional support to veterans and their families. Learn more about membership here. The organisation hosts fundraising events throughout the year that you can get involved in here.

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Remembering The Crimean War 169 Years On

Remembering The Crimean War 169 Years On

Fought between the Russian Empire and allied forces of the British Empire, Ottoman Empire, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia, the alliance claimed victory on 30th March 1856 after a two-and-a-half-year conflict.

When hostilities began, few could have predicted the outcome of the war. Initially, historical records depicted the Russian army as an unbeatable force. However, low troop morale and insufficient supplies hampered efforts, which ultimately failed against determined allied resistance.

The conflict took a devastating toll on all sides – with the allies and Russia losing over 250,000 soldiers each. The former British Empire alone suffered more than 22,000 casualties. Perhaps most tragically, many perished not from combat wounds, but from inadequate medical care in field hospitals. This crisis gave rise to pioneering figures in medical history. This includes British nurse Florence Nightingale, whose introduction of sanitary practices reduced healthcare-related mortality rates, and Mary Seacole, whose British Hotel became a sanctuary for sick and injured soldiers.

The Veteran Experience After The Crimean War

For many returning veterans, the war’s aftermath presented significant challenges. Soldiers who had endured the harsh conditions found themselves facing limited employment prospects upon their return home. Sir Edward Walter, a retired officer of the 8th Hussars, recognised this injustice and was determined to create meaningful change.

Having retired from active service in 1853, Sir Walter established the Corps of Commissionaires and became the organisation’s first commanding officer. The official inception of Corps is recorded on 13th February 1859, as Sir Walter noted in his diary:

“The Commissionaires will parade at 10am tomorrow morning and attend Divine Service at Westminster Abbey, after which they will dine together. The undermentioned men have been appointed to the Corps.”

Sir Walter championed the capabilities of ex-service people, advocating for their transition into crucial security roles to protect London’s financial institutions, then the world’s commercial hub. This pioneering resettlement initiative provided employment to the ‘Original Eight’ – one sailor and seven soldiers who became the foundation of our organisation.

The Corps of Commissionaires quickly established a reputation for exceptional service standards, attracting requests from an expanding client base. Within its first year, the Commissionaires secured rented accommodation at Exchange Court in The Barracks, which became the official headquarters for permanent staff.

Under Sir Walter’s leadership, the organisation expanded to include reservists alongside ex-service people. By 1880, the Corps of Commissionaires had established operations in London, Belfast, and Liverpool, with a membership exceeding 1,000.

The company’s growth continued globally, with Corps of Commissionaires establishing offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I

In 1915, HRH the Duke of Connaught, the Governor General of Canada, approached Sir Walter to help Canadian veterans of the First World War. The Canadian Commissionaires was initially established in Montreal, before expanding to Toronto and Vancouver. Now, the Canadian Commissionaires celebrates 100 years of supporting Canadian veterans.

In 1901, His Majesty King Edward VII consented to chair the Corps of Commissionaires’ board of governors. More than a century later in 2008, the company evolved into Corps Security as we know it today, with King Charles III as our Royal Patron.

Supporting Ex-military Personnel in 2025

The Crimean War represented a challenging chapter in British history, leaving many veterans with insufficient support upon their return. Sir Edward Walter’s vision, and the mission of the Corps of Commissionaires, helped countless former service members to apply their military expertise in civilian roles.

In 2025, Corps’ founding principles continue to resonate throughout our organisation. We maintain our commitment to supporting ex-military personnel in their transition to security careers, and actively fundraise for veteran charities including the SSAFA (the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families Association), Blind Veterans, BLESMA (formally known as The Limbless Veterans) and Combat Stress.

We’re proud to highlight the work of our Corps Veterans Association, which provides additional mentoring, and camaraderie for those who have served their country. The Association’s regular events and outreach programmes help strengthen the bonds between generations of veterans and ensure that the unique experiences of military service are understood and valued within our organisation.

Providing support and opportunities for veterans remain at the heart of Corps Security’s ethos: delivering specialist security services that ensure the safety of both property and people while remembering those who have served.

Read more about Sir Edward Walter and our history here.

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How Corps Security Made A Difference In 2024

How Corps Security Made A Difference In 2024

At Corps Security, giving back is at the heart of who we are. This year, we’re thrilled to reflect on the incredible fundraising milestones achieved by our team and partners. From challenging physical feats to heartfelt moments of remembrance – our collective efforts have raised significant funds to support vital causes.

Supporting our Colleagues

It’s a priority for us at Corps to support our colleagues as part of our commitment of care. We’ve prioritised the well-being of our colleagues through the Welfare Fund, allocating an impressive £38,851 to support our team members in times of need.

To thank our hardworking team that make up our social enterprise, we gifted our colleagues a share of £18,000 as part of our Instant Recognition scheme. We strive to ensure that all our employees are paid the living wage or above.

Customer Rebate Programme

Our innovative customer rebate programme, which donates 1% of our customers’ security costs, contributed £28,714 this year. This initiative enables our partners to join us in supporting meaningful causes.

Charitable Donations Committee

Through our Charitable Donations Committee, we distributed £100,000 to charities that align with our mission. These contributions were made possible through the support of our trustees. This year, we were proud to share the donations with the following charities:

Charitable Events by Our Colleagues

Our colleagues held so many activities to help raise much-needed funds for charities, raising an impressive £50k in total. These activities included:

  • Coast-to-Coast Challenge: Our incredible team embarked on the Coast-to-Coast challenge to raise vital funds for Combat Stress, a charity supporting veterans’ mental health. They covered Bowness-on-Solway to Whitley Bay, covering 92.5 miles. That’s roughly the length of Hadrian’s Wall.
  • The Annual Charity Football Tournament: On 4th September, five Corps teams competed in a thrilling 7-a-side match. The North team triumphed once again, and the event raised £360 for Combat Stress, which we matched to double the total impact.
  • SSAFA 13 Bridges Challenge: On Armed Forces Day, our team crossed 13 of London’s iconic bridges, raising funds and awareness for SSAFA. Operations Director Ken Fissenden remarked, “It’s always an honour to take part in this challenge. I couldn’t be prouder of the team’s efforts.”
  • Eastbourne to Brighton Walk: Our National Accounts team walked 26 miles and raised an astounding £6,500 for Combat Stress. We walked alongside our clients from Centrica and CBRE.
  • London Landmarks Half Marathon: In April, our team raised over £4,000 for Combat Stress, showcasing the power of teamwork and determination. They ran past 17 iconic London landmarks, including Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower Bridge, all supported by a cheering crowd.
  • Pirates of the Corps-ibbean: Our team also got creative with events like the Dragon Boat Race to support WaterAid, dubbed ‘Pirates of the Corps-ibbean’. They made waves and raised vital funds for this global cause, demonstrating that fundraising can be both impactful and fun.
  • Combat Stress Remembrance Trip: In a heartfelt tribute, Corps Security team members travelled to D-Day landmarks, laying wreaths at the British Memorial and Pegasus Bridge. While honouring the memory of those who served, this initiative also raised funds for Combat Stress, helping to ensure veterans receive the support they deserve.

In past years, we’ve also raised funds with ultra marathons and our cycle race, Tour de Corps. There really is no stopping our team!

Looking Ahead

The total amount contributed to colleagues and charities this year is a testament to the generosity, hard work, and dedication of our Corps family. Thank you to all of our colleagues and customers who played a vital part in these successes, because your efforts are truly making a difference. Here’s to another year of giving back and creating positive change together.

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Our Social Values

We protect more than you think

There’s a lot more to Corps Security than you might expect. Yes, we are experts in security and we have over 166 years of experience. But we’re also experts in how to put sustainability and diversity at the heart of everything we do.

We are a Social Enterprise

>> ESG Report

>> Carbon Reduction Plan

>> Equal Employment Opportunities Policy

>> EDI Survey 24-25 Action Plan Report

More Information

Accreditations

Corps Security Accreditations

About Corps Security

Built on over 166 years of experience and a clear social mission, we provide specialist security services tailored to ensure the safety of people and property.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, through the people we work with, the people we employ, the people we help and the planet we protect. Together we protect the things that matter.

Registered Office at 85 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6PF.  Registered in England No. 03473589

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