The Douglas Bader Foundation has ceased operating

Phil Packer

Seriously injured on Operational Duty whilst serving in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. Founder and non-paid Chief Executive of The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT); Charity Ambassador and Patron; Fundraiser; Campaigner and Activist for Inclusion, Mental Health and Wellbeing and now a sought after keynote speaker.

David Gardner

Badly injured and had to undergo the amputation of his leg after being caught up in the 7/7 London bombings. A keen thespian and director he attended many DBF Events. He has stayed in touch with others who were involved in the bombing and supports victims of terrorism. “The love I have experienced has outweighed the hate.”

Adam Layer

An amputee who accompanied Phil Packer on Day 1 of his 14 day London Marathon Walk. Learned to fly on a scholarship for aspiring pilots with disabilities. He became passionate about aviation and a great supporter of the DBF Bader Braves Young Aviators Days saying “I have been inspired, and I hope many more children can be.” Adam trained as an aircraft engineer and is now proud to be a Port of London Harbourmaster. He remembers thinking after his first flight: “If I can do this, I can do anything.”

Margaret “Maggz” Biggs

A keen, talented and very successful time trial cyclist who lost her lower limb following a cycling accident. She’s always been passionate about encouraging amputees to enjoy cycling; founded Team Bader Cycling to help to facilitate that; designed the DBF Cycling Strip; got DBF affiliated to inclusive Time Trial Cycling: completed many cycling fundraising events on behalf of the DBF and was also responsible for DBF LimbLine Helpline, a 1-2-1 chatline for amputees. She was the last holder of “The Bader Flame” and was presented with a bronze medal for her achievements in the Cycling Time Trial Awards despite being 20 years older than the other competitors. “I hope to be an inspiration to others in my role as an Ambassador.” She was!

Wyn Jenkins

A keen and successful sportsman and excellent rugby player whose leg had to be amputated as a result of complications following knee replacement surgery. He contacted the DBF to discuss running a Peer Support Scheme but sadly health issues meant that didn’t work out. Took up cycling, became very proficient and devised several cycling fundraising cycle events for the charity. These included the brilliant Tandem Challenge Wales with Margaret Biggs, and 3 super successful inclusive Dambusters Cycle Rides inspired by the original Dambusters. He and his wife, Marg (who successfully completed the grueling Race Across America (RAAM) ride) still cycle for pleasure, and are now learning to play musical instruments.

Nathan Doidge

Nathan was born with cerebral palsy. He emulated Sir Douglas Bader’s own battle to fly again following his double amputation by determining that cerebral palsy wouldn’t stand in his way. Against the odds, he gained his Private Pilot’s License becoming the most profoundly disabled solo pilot in Britain, possibly the world. A born individualist, Nathan continues to show people that having a disability needn’t hold you back, to follow their unique paths and be happy in their own skins. Most comfortable when he is wearing women’s clothes, he refers to himself as the “disabledcrossdressingpilot”.

Gautam Lewis

Gautam contracted Polio as a young child in Kolkata and was taken in by Mother Teresa to her Home for Children Orphanage. He says the joy he experienced when flying kites from the roof of the orphanage is what inspired his dream to fly himself one day and that Mother Teresa personally encouraged him. When he was 7 he was adopted and brought to the UK. After completing his education, Gautam worked in the music industry before turning to a career in aviation and establishing Freedom in the Air (FITA), a flying school charity for people with disabilities. Now a pilot, musician, photographer and filmmaker, Gautam works with a global movement to eradicate Polio.

Gemma Trotter

Gemma Broke 50 bones and ultimately had an elective leg amputation following a horrific RTA in Belgium. She was operated on at Queen Mary’s Hospital becoming a pioneer of the Osseo Integration prosthetic system and underwent her rehabilitation at the Douglas Bader Unit there. Gemma was a member of Team Bader Cycling and participated in several of the fundraising cycling events even on one occasion riding one legged when she was having problems with her prosthetic leg! Supremely fit herself, she is an inspirational fitness instructor and the first Les Mills instructor in the world to teach as an amputee.

Paul McNeive

Paul lost his legs following a car accident when he was 20. He is believed to be the first double amputee in the world to gain a helicopter pilots license. As a boy he was fascinated with aviation and the story of Douglas Bader. He had no way of knowing he would end up with the same amputations himself and show the same fighting spirit. He is now a popular Motivational Speaker. “I survived losing my legs at 20; there was nothing left to fear…”

Mari Durward Akhurst

Mari has cerebral palsy with hypermobility and lax ligaments and a further diagnosis of progressive spastic ataxia. Mari first contacted us requesting a Bader Grant to enable her to have physio sessions to build core strength and improve her riding. She has always been a talented rider with a natural empathy with horses, saying “Horses are my legs and together we excel.” And excel she has…with her fantastic work ethic and her indomitable spirit she earned herself a place in the 2024 Paralympics Paris and came home with a bronze medal. A phenomenal achievement and a dream achieved. She is now a respected Motivational Speaker.

Thomas Talbot

Thomas was the first DBF Junior Ambassador: Thomas, born with cerebral palsy, applied for a Bader Grant to enable him to follow his sport of Racerunning (now called Framerunning). He went on to become a competitor to be reckoned with, representing Great Britain at the Cerebral Palsy World Games and going on to win numerous medals and awards. Now at University he is an International RR2 RaceRunner who has represented England and has broken three U16 RR2 World Records. He competes nationally & internationally.

Alex Lewis

Lewis is a quadruple amputee after what he thought was man-‘flu turned into a Strep A Toxic Shock Syndrome. This resulted in 7 months of surgery to amputate his left arm above the elbow, both legs above the knee and reconstructive surgery on his face. Six months later his right arm had to be amputated below the elbow..Since then, Alex had refused to be limited or defined by what happened to him. He is continually challenging himself with extraordinary adventures and showing by example that people with disabilities can do what they may never have considered possible. He has said that he is living a better and richer life now and wouldn’t go back to the way things were before. He refers to his life as “A journey which is simply incredible! I am so blessed.” He is dedicated to supporting and encouraging amputees across the world.

Mike Wildeman

Mike had an elective amputation following a motorbike accident, Mike has long been passionate about aviation. He qualified as a combat ready air force pilot at Cranwell and took part in the first Gulf War and the Serbian conflict before going the Belgian Air Force. This was when the Belgian Congo was gong into meltdown and he became involved in the Somalian conflict, flying the first aircraft in when the genocide in Rwanda was taking place. He moved on to become a civilian airline pilot with Virgin. We were honoured when Mike agreed to join a then brand new DBF initiative, Bader’s Bus Company, as Team Leader. “Disabled people are capable of just about anything. We’re the same as everyday else, we may just look a little bit different.” Mike now leads the Phoenix Amputee Formation Aerobatic Display Team.

Rob Sumner

For the last 15 Years, Rob Sumner worked with the DBF as our Web Designer, IT advisor and just about anything else he was required to answer questions on. The fact that none of the DBF team were tech savvy(!) and the questions frequently obscure or probably sometimes incomprehensible, never phased him. Rob was always at the end of the phone or email address to talk us calmly through whatever the problem seemed to be and then resolve whatever the issue was.

He was intensely loyal to the charity and knew and understood the ethos and goals immediately. We always knew that he’d come up with exactly the right look and feel for a revised site or a page. He was a dream to work with and saved my bacon on more than one occasion! When I took on the position of Communications Director I was a complete computer novice. Rob came over to give me a vital tuition session and was then there for me when I’d battled for hours and still couldn’t remember how to insert a photograph into a post or insert a link…! He also thoughtfully provided me with invaluable personal Idiots’ Guides. (I always told him he’d make a wonderful teacher. He was a wonderful teacher.)

We were so very fortunate that he took us on as a client when he became freelance. We couldn’t have had anyone we trusted more or had more confidence in to produce exactly the right response to what was often a very vague or muddled brief! We are so grateful for his never-ending patience, loyalty, hard work and talent.

Thank you so much, Rob, we were blessed when you joined our team and it was an absolute pleasure to work with you; we couldn’t have done it without your input.

North Devon Web Design

I still cannot believe the Foundation is closing and will be so sorry not to email you again or have you guys around. You have all been such an amazing support to us and were the only organisation to publicise our information at the start. 

Thank you so much for all you do and I shall be very sad to see you go.  Reach for the Sky was the first thing my late father-in-law made my husband watch when amputation was the only option and we all watched it in awe so it has been a great privilege to work with you on so many amazing things that you have made possible for our community. 

Very best wishes
Emma Joy-Staines
Director & Co Founder
Steel Bones


I have to start off by saying a huge thank you to the Douglas Bader Foundation (DBF) who have been instrumental in my success to date. It’s so sad that they are closing but when I first applied for a grant I said my goal was to get to the Paralympics and thanks to their ongoing support I have achieved that. I am now both a Paralympian and a Paralympic Medalist. With the DBF’s support my dreams have come true and I don’t really think saying thank you is enough.

Mari Durward-Akhurst
DBF Ambassador and Bader Grant Recipient

We are sad to know the Douglas Bader Foundation is closing but you leave a formidable legacy and the memory of a great man, patriot and supporter of all those who achieve to rise above their disability in order to forge new lives and new careers for themselves and their families.

Charles Marshall BA Dip PSYCH
General Manager Wings For Warriors

Over 42 years of operation the Douglas Bader Foundation has had a real impact on the amputee community, benefiting them in a profound way. Many Blesma members have received support over the years and have spoken very positively of the DBF.

As another organisation working with amputees and supporting them to live independent and fulfilling lives we have been proud to have worked alongside you. Sir Douglas himself was a Blesma member and trustee for many years and we are forever grateful, not only for the support he provided in both time and effort, but in campaigning for the disabled. He is as inspirational to members today and he was during his lifetime.

Congratulations for all the Douglas Bader Foundation has acheived and thank you for your support of amputees over the years.

Best wishes
Vivienne Buck CBE
CEO Blesma

Have just heard that you will be closing the DBF at the end of October 2024. This must be heartbreaking for you all because of all the great work that you do and the help that you give to so many grantees. 

But most of all the legacy that was created by the great man himself can no longer carry on, such a shame as he was and will always be an inspiration to many, me included. 

The DBF have been fantastic for me and the support that you have given me was impossible to calculate, not just financial but more importantly making me feel important. If your support for me and the publicity has given just one person the inspiration to do something with their disabilities then that means more to me than any medals I have won.

Simon Heaps
Bader Grant Recipient and Wheelchair Table Tennis player