Douglas Bader Foundation

General information

Losing a limb is a terrifying, life-changing experience. Over the years we have developed a number of important initiatives and projects to support and inspire primarily the amputee Civilian and Veteran population. Our charitable Object includes assisting those with other disabilities and particularly children incorporating those with cerebral palsy, autism, ADS, wheel chair bound, walking difficulties caused by polio and those whose disabilities require the use of a wheelchair.
“Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do this or that. That’s nonsense…”
(Douglas Bader) The ethos of the charity has always been about “inspiration” and it’s this “can do” attitude that we see as being Sir Douglas’s most important message and the message we have tried to preserve with the creation and on-going work of the Foundation in his name.
We are completely reliant on donations to fund our activities and continue to add and create new initiatives with the funds available to us. Initiatives that we feel are fitting legacies of the man that we knew and watched overcome his disability though his own determination and effort as an inspirational example to both disabled and able bodied.
BADER BRAVES
• Supports children with limb loss and other physical disabilities by offering unique experiences and improving life-skills to increase confidence. The Douglas Bader Foundation has always acknowledged the importance of the children’s families and carers and, in supporting the children, also aims to benefit those people involved in their lives.
• Fully Funded experiences for Bader Braves and
Families
• Young Aviators Day Running for three years this programme provides children with limb loss and children with other disabilities the opportunity to experience flight in a light aircraft. Our goal is to hold 10 days during the summer at Flying Clubs around Great Britain. This has been achieved to date with and average attendance of 140 per day which includes 26 Bader Braves their Parents and Siblings.
• The Young Adventurers Programme provides a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities held to date at the purpose built Calvert Trust facilities at Lake Kielder and Exmoor. Average Attendance is 10 families of 4 which is the maximum catered for. We have held 3 Adventure weekends in the last 18 months..
• To date there are very few initiatives aimed specifically at helping children with limb deficiency and other disabilities and supporting their families.

THE DOUGLAS BADER GRANT SCHEME
This initiative provides practical support for the pursuance of achievements by those with disabilities. We look at all applications and, depending on the nature of the request, the scheme may help towards or provide the equipment, training, services, further education or other practical support required by the successful applicant.
TEAM BADER

Enabling amputees and other disabled and able bodied to participate in Fund Raising
Sporting and Other Activities.

TEAM BADER CYCLING has over the years created events including Cycle Jordan, Cycle Spain, Cycle Cuba, and Lands End to John O’Groats and most recently TANDEM CHALLENGE WALES undertaken by our Amputee Cycling Founders, Wyn Jenkins and Margaret Biggs.