Bader Braves

Launched on the 10th February 2010, at R.A.F. Museum, Hendon, BADER BRAVES was created as a joint acknowledgement of Sir Douglas Bader’s honorary 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.

BADER BRAVES 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 Braves’ families and carers and, in supporting the children, also aims to benefit those people involved in their lives. Families, siblings, friends attend and participate.

We know that BADER BRAVES, combining, as it does, Sir Douglas’s respect for the Native Canadian Indians, his delight in his Honorary Chieftainship and his love of children, would be a venture particularly close to his heart.

In a nutshell…

BADER BRAVES – The Tribe: BADER BRAVES supports children with limb loss and other physical disabilities by offering unique experiences and improving life-skills to increase confidence. An important aspect of the BRAVES concept was the ‘tribe’ element. Children with disabilities can feel isolated, lonely and different and they can gain hugely in confidence by finding that they are not alone. This can be an equally positive experience for their parents and carers as is borne out by feedback from our Calvert Trust residential weekends particularly. We envisage the potential for a ‘circle of support’ where BRAVES might hold or take part in fund-raising or other events to benefit each other, reinforce contacts and strengthen bonds within the tribe.

BADER BRAVES – Young Aviators Days: A big part of BADER BRAVES is the Young Aviators Days which provide youngsters from 6-16 with limb deficiency and other disabilities with the opportunity of experiencing flight in a light aircraft.  This incredibly popular and successful venture is celebrating its 18th Anniversary this year! We continue to enlist the support of new airfields in different parts of the country so that we can offer this unique opportunity to more youngsters. 

BADER BRAVES – Adventures and Challenges:  As well as our Young Aviators Days, we organise diverse adventures and challenges for our BRAVES such as Adventure Weekends with the Calvert Trust at their wonderful venues in Exeter and Kielder, as well as sailing, go-karting, fishing

Our events are held throughout the year. Please check our website in January to see the schedule for that year.

We also announce on our Facebook page, our Bader Braves group Facebook page and associated charity relationships with LimbPower, Reach, Limbless Association, Arctic One

If you would like to learn more about BADER BRAVES and/or how you can get involved, please contact:

David Bickers (Chief Executive Officer)
The Douglas Bader Foundation Administration Office, 14 Raynham Road, London,W6 0HY
Tel.: 020 8748 8884
Mob.: 07836 552536
Email: david.bickers@douglasbaderfoundation.com

We look forward to hearing from you!