The Le Strange Masonic Lodge, based out of Hunstanton, has raised £1,000 to support blind veterans in East Anglia. The Lodge fundraised by hosting two events, one at the Heacham Lavender Fields and the other at Searle’s Holiday Park in Hunstanton. Through ticket sales, donations and raffles with prizes, including meals at pubs in the local area, the Lodge managed to raise £1,000, which they have donated to Blind Veterans UK, the military charity which supports vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
Blind veteran Raymond Thomas, 82 years old and from Dersingham, received the cheque on behalf of Blind Veterans UK from Worshipful Master of the Lodge, Stephen Lake, also from Dersingham, on Thursday April 25.
Stephen says making the choice to support Blind Veterans UK was an easy one:
“The support the charity gave my father-in-law when he lost his sight was life-changing. The adaptations they made around his home made it possible for him to continue living independently.
“Their purpose built rehabilitation centre in Brighton is outstanding and I know my father-in-law used to love his trips down there.”
Blind veteran Raymond Thomas says:
“When I started to lose my sight I didn’t know what to do or who to turn to. Thank God Blind Veterans UK were there to bring me back to my former self or I don’t know what I would have done.
“I’m delighted the Lodge has raised this money which can help transform the lives of other people in the same position I was all those years ago.”
James Bacharew, Community & Events Fundraising Manager for Blind Veterans UK in East Anglia, says:
“A big thank you goes to the Le Strange Masonic Lodge for raising this money. It will go a long way to providing support to vision-impaired ex-Service men and women in East Anglia.
“As shown by Stephen and the Lodge, putting on a fundraising event can be a really fun and easy way of getting together and raising some money for a great cause. The possibilities of what can be done are endless and we are here to support you every step of the way. If you’re interested in raising some money by taking on a challenge, putting on a coffee morning or anything in-between, get in touch me on james.bacharew@blindveterans.org.uk to see what’s possible and how we can help.”
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. Since 1915, the charity has provided rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to tens of thousands of blind veterans.
Blind Veterans UK currently supports more blind veterans than ever before in the charity’s history, but it knows there are many more who still need its support to rebuild their lives following their sight loss.
The charity has a dedicated community team in Norfolk who provide support including training, equipment and social events for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women in the local area.
For all media enquiries please contact:
William Witt
Regional Marcomms Executive
E: william.witt@blindveterans.org.uk
T: 07599 556 664
Notes to Editor
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. Since 1915, we’ve provided rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to tens of thousands of blind veterans.
Find out more at: blindveterans.org.uk and follow us on Facebook at: facebook.com/blindveteransuk and on Twitter at: twitter.com/blindveterans.
