News

Conwy blind veterans to take on 22-mile walk along D-Day beaches for military charity

Two Conwy blind veterans are currently training for a 22-mile walk along on the Normandy coastline to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day.

Carl Adamson, 44, and Steve Thomas, 46, will take part in the event alongside four other blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women. The challenge will take place on 6 June, the anniversary of the 1944 Allied invasion of occupied France.

Carl, originally from Widnes but now living in Llandudno, says: “We’ve been training on the North Wales costal path, which I think should put us in good stead for the Normandy beaches.

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Northampton blind veteran to take on 22-mile walk along D-Day beaches for military charity

A blind veteran from Northampton is currently training to take part in a 22 mile walk along on the Normandy coastline to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day.

Peter O’Malley, 61 and from Duston, will take part in the event alongside five other blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women. The challenge will take place on 6 June, the anniversary of the 1944 Allied invasion of occupied France.

Peter says: “I know that it will be hard work, particularly as I am vision-impaired and the course takes in rough terrain, but I don’t think sight loss should stop you taking on a challenge.”

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Longest serving blind veteran’s remarkable life celebrated at charity chapel as he passes away at 98

The long life of a remarkable blind veteran was celebrated on Tuesday at a funeral service held at the St Dunstan’s Chapel at the Blind Veterans UK training and rehabilitation centre in Ovingdean.

Norman Perry, who lived at the Blind Veterans UK centre for more than 18 years, was the longest serving beneficiary of the charity having received support for over 76 years.

Norman, who died on 16 April aged 98, insisted that guests were not to wear to wear black to his funeral. The service, which was attended by friends, family and other blind veterans, was much more a celebration of life than a sombre affair.

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Widnes blind veteran to take on 22-mile walk along D-Day beaches for military charity

A blind veteran from Widnes is currently training for a 22-mile walk along on the Normandy coastline to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day.

Carl Adamson, 44, will take part in the event alongside five other blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women. The challenge will take place on 6 June, the anniversary of the 1944 Allied invasion of occupied France.

Carl says: “I’ve been training on the North Wales costal path, which I think should put me in good stead for the Normandy beaches.

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Brighton blind veteran joins 130 others in Royal Marines zip wire

A blind veteran from Brighton took on a great challenge by riding a Royal Marines zip wire and descending 120 feet from the top of Blind Veterans UK’s iconic building in Ovingdean earlier in April (21-22/04).

Tony Harbour, who turns 83 in June, was joined by 130 other daredevils, including blind veterans supported by the charity, in taking part in the challenge which has seen nearly £12,000 raised and pledged so far.

Tony says: “This is my third year taking part in the zip wire challenge and the atmosphere was absolutely brilliant yet again. The fear soon turned into exhilaration as the adrenalin kicked in and I sped 30mph towards the ground.”

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Staffordshire man completes “miracle marathon” in memory of his father after collapsing at 22 miles

An amazing man from Staffordshire completed the London Marathon last week after collapsing at 22 miles and spending an hour and a half being treated by medics.

Steve Stuttard, 40 and from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was running the London Marathon for the charity Blind Veterans UK, which supported his late father. His wife and children joined him in the medical tent before he put his trainers back on and completed the final four miles, finishing in under six hours.

Steve says: “It was my first marathon and I was feeling really good right up until 22 miles. Then suddenly my legs collapsed underneath me and the next thing I knew I was in the medical tent.”

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Cobseo Housing Cluster wins the FiMT Working Together Award at the Soldier on Awards

The Cobseo Housing Cluster received the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) Working Together Award at the Soldiering on Awards on Friday 20th April, at a special ceremony at Westminster Bridge Park Plaza.

The Cluster is a combination of 30 veterans’ housing organizations and charities formed to provide veteran specific housing and create an integrated veterans’ housing sector, with clear pathways for ex-Service personnel and their families in housing need to move into permanent homes.

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Gwynedd blind veteran Billy nominated for prestigious Soldiering On Award

A blind veteran from Gwynedd has been nominated for a prestigious Soldiering On Award for his work with Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, from whom he also receives support.

Billy Baxter, 54, is the charity’s Rehabilitation and Liaison Officer in its training and rehabilitation centre in Llandudno. His role sees him mentor and motivate the charity’s beneficiaries. Regarding his nomination, Billy says: “It’s a great honour to be recognised in the Inspiration Award category among my fellow nominees, who themselves have done some truly extraordinary work.”

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St. Andrews blind veteran receives military charity’s highest honour

A blind veteran from St. Andrews has received a special award from military charity Blind Veterans UK for his outstanding achievements in rock climbing following his sight loss.

Garry Morrison, 36, received the award at the Blind Veterans UK Founder’s Day Awards, held at the charity’s training and rehabilitation centre in Brighton last Monday (26/03).

Garry says: “I was really humbled to be presented with this award, particularly because I know that without the support of Blind Veterans UK I wouldn’t be where I am today.

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Llandudno blind veteran receives military charity’s highest honour

A blind veteran from Llandudno has received a special award from military charity Blind Veterans UK for his outstanding work as a volunteer for the charity over the past year.

John Nicol, 79, received the award at the Blind Veterans UK Founder’s Day Awards, held at the charity’s training and rehabilitation centre in Brighton last Monday (26/03).

John says: “I was overwhelmed when my name was called at the ceremony. I could never give back even half of what I’ve got out of the Blind Veterans UK, so to be recognised for my volunteering is very humbling indeed.”

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