Join the Friends of Belisama’s

Belisama’s Retreat is a secluded woodland retreat for the British Armed Forces family on the banks of the river Ribble, Lancashire.

8 years ago, founder JP Marriott sacrificed his Army pension to purchase the woodland as a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the world.

“I got the idea from talking with a former colleague battling with PTSD after serving in Iraq. Escaping into the woods improved his mental well-being and so I opened the woods to other Veterans. To give them somewhere to escape, set up a basha and get “Back to basics”, the things that really matter in life.

It wasn't long before other Veterans joined JP for a brew and chat by the fire and Belisama’s was born. No names, no pack drills but there are Veterans out there that would not be alive today if it were not for Belisama’s.

It is an uphill struggle. Literally. The woodland is rough and for Veterans bearing the physical scars of their service, can be challenging. Try getting around with a limb missing.

However, a neighbouring landowner has offered to sell his woodland and meadow to us. Acquiring this land would be a game changer for Belisama’s: disabled access to the campfire and woodland, off-road parking, open space for community engagement.

We are fundraising the £35,000 needed to purchase the land and already, just from Veterans around the campfire, we have raised half of this.

Belisama’s is funded purely through the good will of others.: The National Lottery Community Fund, Veteran’s Foundation and Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust have all supported us and we have received both the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Veterans Award and the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award.

This is where you come in…

Please give your financial support and share our story with your friends and business contacts. After all, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know that could make the difference.

We, the Belisama’s Legion, thank you.

www.belisamasretreat.org