Welcome to a new page on the site devoted to our exciting, brand new initiative, BADER BRAVES.
Launched on the 10th February at R.A.F. Museum, Hendon, BADER BRAVES was created as a joint acknowledgement of Sir Douglas Bader’s honourary Chieftainship of a Canadian Indian Tribe and the bravery of children with limb deficiencies and other disabilities in their efforts to lead normal lives.
It is a tremendous honour, limited to just 40 living people, to be awarded a Chieftainship and one of which Sir Douglas was extremely and justifiably proud. (From: “This Week in Canadian History” (Oct. 3 – Oct 9, 1818 – 1998): ‘Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) was honoured with the name “Red Crow” when he became the first Kainai Chief at a ceremony in Lethbridge, Alberta. The Kainai (Blood Indians) of southern Alberta created the honorary chieftainship to recognise individuals who have contributed either to the Blood people or to humanity in general. Membership is limited to 40 living persons and the honour is highly prized. Among those who have been members are Douglas Bader (Morning Bird), Pierre Berton (Big Plume), and Pope John Paul II (Big Holy White Father).’
Sir Douglas Bader being honoured as "Chief Morning Bird" by the Kainai Indians
While the DOUGLAS BADER FOUNDATION has been continuing Sir Douglas’s work with amputees since his death over 25 years ago and has many projects both completed and underway to assist amputees and other disabled, we are particularly excited about this new enterprise. We know that BADER BRAVES, combining, as it does, Sir Douglas’s respect for the Native Canadian Indians, his delight in his Honourary Chieftainship and his love of children would be a venture particularly close to his heart.
To date there are very few initiatives aimed specifically at helping children with limb deficiency and other disabilities and their families and we hope you will agree that this is a worthwhile cause and an exciting project. As always, the DOUGLAS BADER FOUNDATION relies almost entirely on fund-raising to survive and to continue to assist amputees and other disabled and we would be delighted to hear from anyone with ideas, fund-raising or otherwise, to support this venture.
In a nutshell:
- BADER BRAVES will support 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.
- BADER BRAVES will incorporate The Douglas Bader Foundation’s already proven Bader Flying/Young Aviators’ Days providing youngsters from 6-16 with limb deficiency and other disabilities with the opportunity of experiencing flight in a light aircraft. We already have 5 of these enormously enjoyable and beneficial days in the pipeline this year and will keep you informed of dates and developments. You can see testament to the success of these events by clicking on the link to see the post relating to last year’s Flying Day at White Waltham.
- BADER BRAVES will include two short break, multi-activity “Challenge” weekends at the Calvert Trust venues at Kielder Water in Northumberland and one in Exmoor. These centres offer a fantastic residential and activity programme of sailing, canoeing, archery, climbing, abseiling, orienteering all specifically designed to enable full participation by children with physical disabilities
- BADER BRAVES fundraising activity will include a 3 day Hike along Hadrian’s Wall in summer 2010 (all participants are welcome!) Future BADER BRAVES Events will be published on a dedicated sub-page. We have several shortly to be announced so, again, please watch this space!
We are obviously in the early stages of this project at the moment and will be adding to both the programme and the Events as time goes on so please keep checking the pages for updates and do feel free to contact us with ideas and thoughts. We are always happy to receive your input.
If you would like to learn more about BADER BRAVES and/or how you can get involved please contact the DOUGLAS BADER FOUNDATION Director of Operations, Keith Delderfield:
keith.delderfield@btinternet.com
Mobile: +44 (0) 7831 596015
The DOUGLAS BADER FOUNDATION Administration Office:
45 Dundale Rd, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 5BU
Fax: +44 (0) 1442 826662
email: douglasbaderfdn@btinternet.com
