Latest news with #BlindVeteransUK
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blind veterans enjoy sports day during summer camp at HMS Sultan
Blind veterans from across the UK enjoyed a fun sports day at the HMS Sultan Summer Camp in Gosport. The day was part of a thrilling week-long programme of activities at the naval engineering training base. The enthusiastic participants, aided by their human guides, took part in a variety of challenges including hoopla, basketball, deck hockey, and skittles. They were supported by volunteers from HMS Sultan and the retired service community acting as 'dogs' to guide them. Blind veterans take aim during activities at HMS Sultan, supported by volunteer 'human guides' from the naval base and retired Service community (Image: Barry Swainsbury) The camp is not just about fun. It is aimed at encouraging those who suffer from sight loss to remain independent. The activities at the camp—sailing, archery, indoor climbing, crazy golf, and horse riding—are all designed to motivate and inspire the veterans. Blind Veterans UK member, Charlie Parkinson from the Wirral, participated in the event this year. READ MORE: Fun for all the family at HMS Sultan's action-packed Families Day Charlie, who lost his sight in 2010, said the charity had been life-changing for him, saving him from a dark period where he had contemplated suicide. He said: "This is life-changing. "When I first joined Blind Veterans UK, I was in a very bad place and very close to suicide, but the charity helped save my life and change my life. "It's all about companionship and enjoying yourself." Captain Mark Hamilton, commanding officer of HMS Sultan, expressed his delight at hosting the veterans. He said: "It is a huge honour to welcome the veterans into HMS Sultan for the Blind Veterans' Summer Camp. "The week is crammed full of fun activities that challenge not only those taking part, but also the stereotypes around disabilities." Adrian Bell, CEO of Blind Veterans UK, was full of praise for the event and the support from HMS Sultan. He said: "Each time I attend this camp, I'm reminded of why it's so special. "The camaraderie, the challenge of new activities, and the support from HMS Sultan create an environment where our members can truly flourish. "I'm so grateful to everyone at HMS Sultan for their wonderful support in making this exceptional week possible." The Blind Veterans UK Summer camp has been successfully hosted by HMS Sultan since 1996, following the closure of HMS Daedalus.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Cumbrian couple making journey on 1970s Lambretta from Spain to Cumbria
Two Cumbrian scooter riders are looking to raise money after undertaking an epic journey from south Spain to Scotland. Paul Baxter and Julie Bowman set off from Los Alcazares in Spain and journey up to Bilbao on a classic 1970s Lambretta. Paul and Julie's Lambretta (Image: Supplied) After catching the ferry to Portsmouth, the pair have travelled the length of England before arriving for a scooter festival in Ayr, Scotland. Paul and Julie are raising money for Blind Veterans UK and Cumbria's own Eden Valley Hospice which they visited on Monday, June 30. 'We planned to do this five years ago and we started raising money before COVID but unfortunately COVID check in and stopped us from doing it,' explained Paul. 'On the first day we were planning on going up to up to Madrid with our ultimate destination being Santander but when we got to Madrid because it was such lovely riding conditions, I said to my girlfriend that we'd carry on to the next biggest town which is another 200 kilometres away. Paul and Julie (Image: Supplied) 'We ended up passing there and we got to within 90 kilometres of Santander which was 801 kilometres in a day which is a hell of a long way on a 1974 scooter. 'They were never designed to do what we're doing. They were designed as shopping trolleys to go about your business and for commuting but we're now sticking bags on there and front racks and storing stuff wherever we can.' Paul found his love of scooters in Cumbria and was a member of several scooter clubs in the country. Scooter enthusiasts are a very tight knit community and people from Cumbria have been very generous in their support of Paul and Julie. 'I saw a motorbike in the siding and acknowledged the motorbike and about 300 metres down the road, the motorbike rider lifted his helmet, and it was one of my school pals who'd been following us and he'd ridden down to join us in the rain. 'Later we stopped at a fuel station to have the crack with a guy that had been waving us frantically. 'He said I've been chasing you and I've got an envelope for you Paul and Julie with Frank Gardener (Image: Supplied) 'He was in his late 70s or early 80s and had been following us on the internet. READ MORE: University of Cumbria lays out plans for Carlisle Citadels project | News and Star 'He'd made a donation on the internet, but wanted to come and meet as personally, gave me an envelope, which said "thank you so much' which was just amazing.' Paul and Julie will now be making the journey back from Cumbria to their home in Spain. Anybody wishing to donate can do so online.
Wales Online
12-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Army veteran who had to give up everything he worked for does something incredible
Army veteran who had to give up everything he worked for does something incredible Phil Lewis has a life-changing condition meaning he could no longer work or drive and said it has had 'devastating' impact on his life Phil Lewis (Image: Alison Lewis ) For Phil Lewis, vision loss took away everything he had worked for his entire life. Although he knew the day was coming, with a hereditary condition affecting his grandparents, mother and siblings, the moment it happened was not any easier. In 2020, coinciding with the coronavirus pandemic, the 61-year-old's condition retinitis pigmentosa, which makes cells in the retina break down slowly over time, causing vision loss, forced him to stop work. He has entirely lost his side vision and all he can see is directly in front of him, but it is very limited, only in dark and light shades, just allowing him to manoeuvre himself around. He said: "I was first diagnosed with my sight loss when I served in the Royal Engineers at about 21-22 years old. It was night vision that was the issue. I was devastated when I had to come out of the army, It was my career path, and I was only in it for four years, but I did my apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner, in the army, and luckily I came out and carried on with my trade. "At that point, I thought my eyesight was fine, but it wasn't good enough to be in the military. "It was fine to work, and I carried on with my trade during my working life for the next 35 years, self-employed with my company Tradesmen Carpentry Services, but it very gradually got worse over the years. It didn't really affect me at all until 2020. I had to stop then, because it was getting dangerous with scaffolding and roofs and things, it was a bit hairy. Article continues below "I didn't have a choice, and it was devastating as I loved my job and my work and everything I had worked for, I had to just give up and stop overnight. I had no intention of stopping. I'd still be working today if I could. "My grandparents had it, and my mother had it, my two brothers and two sisters have got it as well. I think that's why I worked so much, and worked so hard, knowing that when I get older I wasn't going to be able to support myself. I needed to work as hard as I could and get everything done up until the point I knew I wouldn't be able to do it. Unfortunately, it's come a bit quicker than I anticipated. "The first three and a half years after I finished was depressing, it knocked my confidence and I lost the motivation to do anything as well. I couldn't drive or anything so it was awkward getting out and about." In 2023, Mr Lewis took the decision to reach out for help from Blind Veterans UK, a not-for-profit organisation looking to support anyone who has served in the Armed Forces or who has done national service and is now living with significant sight loss. The Fforestfach, Swansea resident, began receiving support from them, including the use of a cane for which he had training, which proved to be a game-changer for him. "I had been at a bit of a loss really as to what to do next," he said. "I by chance had a conversation with the optician that I had been in the army, and he mentioned the Blind Veterans, and I thought I'd give it a go and see what they could offer, and they have been fantastic. "They came to see me and there was a bit of an assessment as to what I used to do and where I was in life. They couldn't believe I didn't have a cane and they got some pretty much straight away. They gave me a bit of cane training and stuff, and it gave me my confidence to get back out again. "Up until that point, I'd been walking into people and getting into arguments all the time, but once I started using the cane properly, it changed my life and gave me confidence to get out there and do things again. "I've got good mates who come here every week and we go out walking together, which has been a real boost. I'm married and I've got three daughters and six grandkids so it keeps me busy. I do the school runs every day, it all helps, and feels you have a bit of worth to help out." Mr Lewis said he was keen to do something to give back to the charity which supported him when he most needed it. Together with his friends Chris Hannon and Colin Barry, as well as Sam Thomas who works as a rehabilitation officer for the visually impaired at the charity, he set off on an ambitious 26-mile walk along the Gower coast to raise £1,000 for the good cause, as part of its armed forces month campaign, which calls on people to organise activities to celebrate and commemorate key dates in the month of June. Mr Lewis together with Chris Hannon, Colin Barry and Sam Thomas at the Big Apple in Mumbles (Image: Alison Lewis ) Mr Lewis said: "These three men have been a great support to me throughout my sight loss journey and have helped me to prepare for this challenge. I couldn't have done it without them. 'The terrain on the route was extremely challenging; only the last four miles of the coastal path was an actual proper pathway. The rest was more like a coastal climb than a coastal walk! 'Sam was my guide during the walk. It must have been as exhausting for him as it was for me, if not more so. Sam gave me constant instructions in the tricky sections and had to watch my steps as well as his own. We had planned to go for a pint when we finished, but instead we all went home to bed.' The men taking part in the challenge (Image: Alison Lewis ) Mr Thomas added: 'When I first met Phil, he was unable to travel independently around his local area and relied on his family when getting around. He required skills that would enable him to feel safe and confident. 'We began with short routes around the park and eventually started branching into unfamiliar areas. With the use of the long cane and the skills he learnt he soon felt confident with asking for support and relying on his own skills to walk longer and more complicated routes. Article continues below 'Phil has proved that sight loss does not prevent you from reaching your potential. He's met stumbling blocks on the way but has always found solutions to meeting his goals. It was an honour to take part in this walk with Phil. I have learnt so much in the short time we have worked together and am looking forward to our next challenge.' If you would like to raise funds for the charity you can learn more on how to do so by clicking here.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wales falls silent to mark VE day anniversary
A two-minute silence was held across Wales to remember those who fought in World War Two. At 12:00 BST, people across the country joined the national two minutes of silence to mark VE Day. Across Wales, events have been taking place to commemorate 80 years since the end of war in Europe. Beacons will be lit, family fun days and afternoon teas are taking place to celebrate. I partied outside Buckingham Palace on VE Day 101-year-old WW2 codebreakers reunite for VE Day Wales marks 80th anniversary of VE Day In Cardiff, Members of the Senedd observed the silence along with the rest of the UK. At a service at Christ Church in Swansea, four school groups from across the city performed songs including White Cliffs of Dover and Calon Lan. Veteran Richard Pelzer laid a wreath on behalf of Blind Veterans UK and veterans from more recent conflicts were also invited, with more than 40 in attendance. In Wrexham, events took place across the city with a service held in St Giles Church. A special assembly with afternoon tea to follow will be held in Ysgol Glan Gele, Abergele, Conwy. Pupils from Christchurch Primary School, who were part of the service in Swansea, shared how happy they were to meet some of the veterans. Millie said she had never seen a veteran before, and it was "so cool". While Duaa said: "It felt really special to be able to meet people who were in World War Two." Amélie said: "It was surprising they were so young. If it was still the war my siblings would have been in the army and it would have been very scary. "It gave me a different perspective." The Veterans and Community Hub's Models for Heroes group had a drop-in at the Labour and Social Club in Connah's Quay, Flintshire. The group presented numerous models of tanks and cake to mark the anniversary. In Newquay, Ceredigion, a service was held in the Memorial Hall with commemorative flag raising ceremony held after. There will be a lighting of Bonfire Beacon with viewing from Glyn Square at 21:30 BST. In Monmouthshire, the day started off with the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers flag raising, followed by a tree planting on the town field. In the afternoon, a public service will be held at the Monmouth Castle followed by a lighting of the Monmouth Landmark in the evening. The events taking taking place coincided with a thanksgiving service held at Westminster Abbey. The King and Queen, as well as the prime minister and other senior royals, were in attendance. Thousands of people will then gather for a concert at Horse Guards Parade to cap four days of marking the end of World War Two in Europe VE Day events recall the huge crowds of people who took to the streets on 8 May 1945 to sing, dance and rejoice after nearly six years of war.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'It was all over' - Colchester veteran, 104, talks about her memories of VE Day
'It was all over' - Colchester veteran, 104, talks about her memories of VE Day A COLCHESTER woman's VE-Day memories of cycling through town to celebrate the end of the war have been brought to life in a new exhibition. Blind Veterans UK released illustrations of veteran's memories as part of its After the Darkness campaign, which looks to recognise their service and raise funds for war heroes living with sight loss. Joan Harding, 104, from Colchester, served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War. The ATS was a women's branch of the British Army which played a crucial role in non-combat duties such as telecommunications, driving, mechanics and operating anti-aircraft equipment. ADVERTISEMENT Hero - Joan Harding, 104 (Image: Richard Cannon) But that work came to a sudden end on May 8, 1945, when Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced the war in Europe had come to an end following Germany's surrender. It started out as a normal day at work for Joan before the news was announced. She said: 'I can't say I found out the war had ended at the exact moment, but certainly the exact day. "We all went in to do our work when we were told the news and sent home. 'My husband happened to be on leave at the time - he was in the London Rifle Brigade – so we went over to my mother and father's house. "We were crying, saying, 'There's no more killing!'" Celebration - Joan Harding riding her bike to the village (Image: Martin Impey/Blind Veterans UK) Joan immediately cycled to a village pub to celebrate the news with her husband. ADVERTISEMENT She said: "We went on the village pub and I was crying my eyes out, saying, 'I don't believe it! It's gone on too long!' "People were giving me drinks - one after the other - so, I suppose I must have been really very high on drinks. "I was crying with sheer happiness – everybody was happy. "It was almost as if they'd suddenly seen a rainbow wrapped around them – it was all over! "There were people lighting bonfires in the roads and we had to keep going round these people, so we really were going round and round and along a little way until we got home." Joan's story along with twelve other veteran's stories, illustrations and portraits are featured in a special exhibition at The Cartoon Museum in London, which runs until June 29.
