A member of the team from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Coalville has taken part in a skydive to raise awareness for an armed forces charity.

Mark Rennox, who has worked at the Amazon site in Coalville for three years as a Reliability and Maintenance Engineering Technician, took part in the skydive to raise awareness for Blesma, a charity that supports limbless veterans.

Through his efforts, Mark raised over £400 for the charity which was boosted by a further £500 donation from the team at Amazon in Coalville.

Blesma helps limbless veterans lead independent and fulfilling lives. The charity offers advice and support to its members – veterans who live with limb loss or loss of use of their limbs. The charity also offers guidance on financial support and prosthetics services available to limbless veterans, employment opportunities and delivers social groups and international activities that aid rehabilitation and encourage well-being as well as supporting vital research on limb loss and its impact. 

As a signee of the Armed Forces Covenant, Amazon has joined a national pledge to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. In 2011, Amazon launched its Military Programme in the UK, offering veterans the opportunity to pursue exciting post-military careers.

Commenting on the donation, Martin Cox, General Manager at Amazon Coalville, said: "Blesma is a great charity that offers important support to veterans and their families. We are proud of Mark and his fundraising efforts and we're pleased to offer this donation to Blesma."

Mike Allen, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Blesma added: "On behalf of our members and everyone at Blesma we would like to say a big thank you to Mark for taking on this challenge and for choosing to support Blesma with his fundraising, this of course was enhanced greatly by the donation from Amazon and can we say a huge thank you to Martin and all of his colleagues at Amazon Coalville for this fantastic gesture.

These donations will help us to continue to provide support for our injured veterans who need essential goods and services in this difficult time.

This will also help towards the provision of devices and training for the digitally excluded which has proved invaluable in tackling loneliness and isolation for our members. Thanks to Amazon for supporting our vital work."

Blesma received the donation as part of the "Amazon In The Community" programme, whereby the company supports the communities around its operating locations across the UK.

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Amazon is providing disadvantaged students with online STEM courses as well as teaming up with charity partner Magic breakfast and delivering two million healthy breakfasts to families around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click HERE