The Douglas Bader Foundation was formed in honour of Sir Douglas Bader in 1982 by family and friends – many of whom had flown side by side with Douglas during World War 2.
Douglas was honoured in 1976 with a Knighthood for his contribution and work on behalf of the disabled. The mission of the foundation at its inception and today, is to continue Douglas’s work in conjunction with and on behalf of individuals with a disability.
THE FIRST INITIATIVE
The first initiative was realised in 1993 – the completion of the Douglas Bader Centre, a facility built at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, in West London to support rehabilitation services for amputees.
The Centre which, following changes at Queen Mary’s Hospital, is now called The Douglas Bader Rehabilitation Centre, provides a range of facilities and services for amputee members of the community, including a Walking School and Rehab Therapy Groups. Appropriately, this hospital had provided Douglas’s medical care as an amputee for some 50 years. The Centre was opened by the Foundation’s Patron, Diana, Princess of Wales, on February 25th 1993.
1993-2007
| 1982 | The Douglas Bader Foundation was created and formed in 1982 after the Death of Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader CBE, DSO, DFC, FRAeS, DL, who died on the 4th September | |
| 1986 | First Golf fundraising events held | |
| 1987 | Establishment of the Bader Cup as an annual fundraising Golf Event held throughout the UK now involving over 600 golf clubs | |
| 1988 | The Foundation became incorporated – Sir Peter Baxandell (Deputy Chairman of Shell) became Chairman of Fundraising | |
| The Foundation moved to offices in the Shell Centre | ||
| 1989 | The first Bader Flame Award presented for Outstanding Contribution to the Amputee Disabled Community | |
| 1991 | HRH Diana, Princess of Wales becomes Patron of the Foundation | |
| 1992 | The Douglas Bader Centre built at Queen Mary’s University Hospital, Roehampton, LONDON | |
| 1993 | The Douglas Bader Centre officially opened by Diana, Princess of Wales | |
| 1994 | David Bickers elected Chairman of the Foundation | |
| 1995 | The Douglas Bader Grant Scheme | |
| 1996 | First Bader Grants announced and presented at the Shell Centre | |
| 1998 | BADERline – a new telephone helpline for amputees launched in the West of England | |
| Bader Grants presented in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales | ||
| 1999 | Bader Grants presented by Queen Noor of Jordan at the Bader Centre, Roehampton | |
| 2000 | First Bader Challenge fundraising event – Cycle Ride through Jordan involving able bodied and limb loss | |
| 2001 | Sponsorship of First CHAMPS (Child amputee) week-end organised by BALASA | |
| Ladies Salver Golf Tournament introduced | ||
| 2002 | Lady Bader receives OBE for her ‘Charity Work ‘ | |
| The Douglas Bader Foundation fund the National Help Bureau a joint initiative between the Douglas Bader Foundation and The Limbless Association | ||
| 2003 | First Prosthetic and Orthotic User and Professionals Industry Awards Ceremony in association with the Limbless Association | |
| Opening of first overseas Bader Walking School within University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur | ||
| 2004 | Launch of the Limb Loss Legal Panel offering free legal advice to amputees in need | |
| 2005 | Launch of first Limb Loss Information Centre for people with limb loss – www.limblossinformationcentre.com | |
| First Farrow Bader Flying Day for children with disabilities | ||
| Launch of new Douglas Bader Foundation website douglasbaderfoundation.co.uk | ||
| Launch of the inclusive Bader Challenges designed to encourage disabled people to participate in life changing challenges | ||
| 2006 | New Queen Mary’s Hospital rehabilitation facility called “The Douglas Bader Rehabilitation Centre” in memory of Sir Douglas Bader and the work of the Foundation | |
| Launch of the Douglas Bader Insurance Advice Service | ||
| The Douglas Bader Grant Scheme pledges support to the amputee victims of the July 7th London Bombings |
THE LIMB LOSS INFORMATION CENTRE
2005 saw the creation of a central resource information website for amputees, their families and friends, carers and healthcare professionals.
To date the Limb Loss Information Centre has received many thousands of visitors from around the globe. During the 12-month period from November 2005 to November 2006 the site underwent a period of sustained growth averaging a monthly increase in page views of 6% and an increase in users of 5.7%. During this period a total of 135,000 page views were recorded from 22,000 users with each user visit lasting for an average of 6.3 page views.
The site received an additional 145 registered users bringing the total registered community to 2001. Interestingly there was a traffic spike in July 2006, which may well be contributed to the anniversary of the July 7th attacks.
Working closely with all charities, associations and organisations that assist and provide services or products to amputees, we aim to join up the support and information services currently offered to best pool resources and serve amputees in the most efficient and purposeful way.
Visit the Limb Loss Information Centre by following this link www.limblossinformationcentre.com
