Tag: Blind Veterans UK

‘Paxo’ Rises To The Challenge For Blind Veterans

Military charity Blind Veterans UK have enlisted the help of Jeremy Paxman in their hunt for a team of volunteers across the country to help with home visits, activities and companionship that make such a difference to blind veterans’ lives…

The appeal for volunteers will play on BBC iPlayer before being rolled out across the country, and features Jeremy Paxman in full University Challenge character with Blind Veterans UK volunteer Lynette in the hot seat. The appeal reveals how many blind veterans there are across the UK and just how many volunteers are required to provide them with crucial services.

The charity wants to hear from anyone who is interested in sparing some of their time for a very worthy cause. Their mission is to rebuild lives after sight loss and volunteers play a huge part in making that happen. From helping run activities that combat social isolation to just opening post or having a cup of tea, there are opportunities available to suit all schedules.

Jeremy Paxman commented: “It’s been a pleasure to learn more about the work of Blind Veterans UK and it’s clear that the charity’s dedicated volunteers make a vital contribution to communities across the country. I hope everyone who listens to the appeal and has an hour or two to spare will be encouraged to think about volunteering.”

Ken, 94, is a blind veteran who has been getting weekly home visits from volunteer Sue for the past two years: “Through Blind Veterans UK I was introduced to Sue, who visits me once a week and it has become, without doubt, the highlight of my week. She helps me with various bits and bobs and it’s great just to have a cup of tea and a chat.”

Sue started volunteering after she saw the life-changing impact the charity had on her father: “Blind Veterans UK brought my father out of depression and completely transformed his life. I wanted to give something back so I started volunteering. It’s truly a wonderful thing and so rewarding to do something not only for Ken but for the community.

“I think the more you give to others the happier you become in yourself. Seeing the difference I’ve made to Ken’s life fills me with joy. After his wife passed away he was low and lonely so we just sit down for two hours on a Tuesday and have a chat. I sit in awe as he tells stories from his time with the Royal Navy during World War II.”

13th November 2018
Blind Veteran To Be Oldest Marching At Cenotaph

Ron Freer, 103, will be marching at the Cenotaph as part of the national Remembrance Sunday commemorations with more than 100 other blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women…

It has been confirmed by the Royal British Legion that Ron will be the oldest veteran to march at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. This year the commemorations are particularly significant as the nation marks the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Ron says: “I am hugely honoured to march at Cenotaph on behalf of Blind Veterans UK. It is an extraordinary charity, which makes an unbelievable difference to the lives of veterans like me, and our families too. Being the centenary of the end of the First World War, this year holds special significance for me as my own father was killed on 4 September 1918 and is buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetary in the Somme.”

Ron joined the Army in 1931 and, on the outbreak of the Second World War, was posted to Hong Kong to defend the colony. In late 1941, the Japanese attacked Hong Kong including Fort Stanley, where Ron was based. After 18 days of fighting, his garrison surrendered against overwhelming odds.

He became a prisoner of war and remained so until the end of the war. It was this four year ordeal that led to Ron losing his sight because of the malnutrition he suffered in the camp.

Ron says: “The Japanese brought in a bag of rice for each unit but only enough for one meal a day per man. We cut an oil drum in half and used the bottom as a boiling pot for the rice. Each man was given a scoop of rice but many were unable to eat it and looking at the portion of rice, one could see mice droppings and insects. Disease soon broke out resulting in many deaths.”

In 1943 the group of POWs were transported on a ship called The Lisbon to Japan. It was on this journey that diphtheria broke out amongst the two thousand men aboard. Ron caught the infectious disease and his life was only saved by the actions of two doctors.

He says: “Lying in the hut with all the others suffering, I heard a voice say ‘turn over Sergeant’, I was then injected with something and the voice said, ‘you are very lucky’. I knew then that it was our medical officer. He later told me that a Japanese civilian doctor had managed to smuggle in six phials of anti-diphtheria toxin so the two of them had saved my life.”

A month later, Ron had completely lost his sight and most of his hearing and spent the remainder of the war in the camp medical hut. At the end of the war he returned to the UK via the Philippines and New Zealand. It was then that his journey with Blind Veterans UK, then known as St Dunstan’s, began.

Ron has been supported by the charity since 1946 and has gone on to live a full, happy, independent life. He says: “I returned to the UK after being a POW for nearly four years. Having lost my sight as well as my hearing my future seemed very dismal and I didn’t want to think about what lay ahead. This was until I began to receive support from Blind Veterans UK.

“I was given my confidence back bit by bit through training such as learning braille. My main objective, as man in my early thirties, was to find employment. After I married, I had the opportunity of opening a new post office and my wife and I continued to operate it for 25 years. This was all thanks to Blind Veterans UK, who helped me to purchase the property. It will be an honour to march with them once again.”

11th November 2018
Statue Of Blinded WW1 Soldiers Unveiled

A bronze statue commemorating the end of the First World War has been unveiled in Manchester by Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex GCVO…

The statue, of seven blinded First World War soldiers, has been permanently placed outside Manchester Piccadilly Station as a memorial to the injured of that conflict.

Commissioned by military charity Blind Veterans UK, the statue, entitled Victory Over Blindness, depicts the seven soldiers after losing their sight, marching with their hand on the shoulder of the man in front. The Countess of Wessex unveiled the statue in her role as Patron of Blind Veterans UK.

Blind Veterans UK was founded more than 100 years ago to support those blinded in the First World War. Now, the charity supports veterans regardless of when they served or how they lost their sight.

Victory Over Blindness is a phrase first used by the founder of Blind Veterans UK, Sir Arthur Pearson, and continues to guide the charity’s principles today. Blind Veterans UK supported more than 3,000 First World War blind veterans with rehabilitation and training allowing them to achieve victory over blindness.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Her Royal Highness said: “This statue commemorates not only the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, but also the life-changing support Blind Veterans UK offers to vision-impaired ex-Service men and women since that conflict through to the present day.

“As we approach the anniversary of the end of the First World War and, quite rightly, remember all of those who never returned, it is also important to remember those who did, changed by their experiences. I have seen at first hand the difference the charity makes to the lives of blind veterans and I am looking forward to meeting many more blind veterans here today and hearing their stories.”

Speaking about the statue, Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK, Major General (Rtd) Nick Caplin CB, said: “We support all blind veterans regardless of when they served or how they lost their sight. The statue demonstrates the life-changing impact the charity has had over the last 103 years and is our way of commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “The Victory Over Blindness sculpture is a poignant reminder of the difficulties wounded soldiers, blinded in war, face in their lives. However, it is also an inspiring image, that there is support and assistance there that helps visually impaired people to adjust to life after losing their sight.”

The sculpture was conceived and designed by artist and sculptress Johanna Domke-Guyot and funded by the generous donations of The Gosling Foundation as well as other individuals and organisations. The location of the statue at Manchester Piccadilly has also been made possible thanks to the support of Network Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester.

17th October 2018
Statue Of Blinded Soldiers To Be Unveiled In Manchester

It has been announced that a new statue commemorating the end of the First World War will be unveiled in Manchester this October…

The statue, of seven blinded First World War soldiers, will be permanently placed outside Manchester Piccadilly Station as a memorial to the injured of that conflict. Commissioned by military charity Blind Veterans UK, the statue, entitled Victory Over Blindness, depicts the seven soldiers after losing their sight, marching with their hand on the shoulder of the man in front.

Blind Veterans UK was founded more than 100 years ago to support those blinded in the First World War. Now, the charity supports veterans regardless of when they served or how they lost their sight. ‘Victory over blindness’ is a phrase first used by the founder, Sir Arthur Pearson, and continues to guide the charity’s principles. They supported more than 3,000 WW1 blind veterans with rehabilitation and training allowing them to achieve victory over blindness.

Speaking about the statue, Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK, Major General (Rtd) Nick Caplin CB, said: “Helping blind veterans achieve victory over blindness is the cornerstone of everything we do, and have always done, at Blind Veterans UK. In 2018 victory over blindness means enabling blind veterans to lead the lives they choose.

“Blind Veterans UK enables ex-Service men and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss through free services and lifelong practical and emotional support. The statue demonstrates the life-changing impact the charity has had over the last 103 years. It is our way of commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War and recognising the amazing work achieved by our veterans at that time and ever since.”

The sculpture was conceived and designed by artist and sculptress Johanna Domke-Guyot and funded by the generous donations of The Gosling Foundation as well as other individuals and organisations. The location of the statue at Manchester Piccadilly has also been made possible thanks to the support of Network Rail.

Johanna said: “It’s been a very long journey and I underestimated how emotional I would feel about the whole process. The time I’ve had with these seven figures over these years and seeing them come to life has been really amazing. Bringing them to life again in a bronze that will last for years and years is overwhelming. People will be able to touch them, I want it to become a people’s piece.”

The seven First World War blind veterans will stand proudly outside Manchester Piccadilly Station and will be the only permanent memorial in the UK marking the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.

4th September 2018