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.
| 1982 | The Douglas Bader Foundation was created and formed following the death on the 4th September of Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, CBE, DSO, DFC, FRAeS, DL |
| 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 Baxendell (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 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 | |
| 2007 | 25th Anniversary of the Douglas Bader Foundation |
| 25th Anniversary Auction Dinner in The Long Room at Lord’s | |
| 2008 | Inaugural Amputee Games |
| 2009 | 2nd Amputee Games |
| 2010 | DOUGLAS BADER CENTENARY |
| Launch of Douglas Bader Foundation child-based initiative: BADER BRAVES | |
| Douglas Bader Grant to RAFT | |
| 3rd Amputee Games | |
| 5 Bader Braves Young Aviators Days held around UK | |
| 3 Ambassadors – Phil Packer, David Gardner and Adam Layer – join DBF | |
| LimbLine – New one-to-one advice service for LLIC | |
| 2011 | 9 Bader Braves Young Aviators Days held around UK |
| 2 Ambassadors – Margaret Biggs and Wyn Jenkins – join DBF
NB.: More 2011 content to follow when confirmed |
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.
THE DOUGLAS BADER GRANT SCHEME (1995)
This initiative provides practical support for the pursuance of achievements by those with disabilities.
This initiative has assisted countless disabled individuals and groups throughout the UK to achieve a variety of goals in diverse areas ranging from education, the arts, sport and recreation to small businesses.
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.
The most recent recipient of a Douglas Bader Grant, RAFT, The Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust, received a grant to help towards their pioneering research in 2010.
THE LIMB LOSS INFORMATION CENTRE (2005)
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
BADER BRAVES (2010)
2010 saw the launch of this exciting new initiative by the Douglas Bader Foundation. 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.
To date there are very few initiatives aimed specifically at helping children with limb deficiency and other disabilities and their families.
- 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.
