News

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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Fareham blind veteran receives military charity’s highest honour

A blind veteran from Fareham has received a creative art award from military charity Blind Veterans UK for his outstanding achievements in art and photography.

Will Phillips, 60, received the award at the Blind Veterans UK Founder’s Day Awards, held at the charity’s training and rehabilitation centre in Brighton on Monday (26/03).

Will says: “It’s the third year I’ve been nominated for a Founder’s Day Award so I was secretly thinking, ‘It’s got to be this time!’ It’s a proud day and I can honestly say that if it weren’t for Blind Veterans UK I would never have had the confidence to challenge myself again creatively.”

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Dorset blind veteran receives military charity’s highest honour

A blind Second World War veteran from Dorset has received a special award from military charity Blind Veterans UK for his outstanding work as an ambassador for the organisation over the last year.

Eddie Gaines, 93 and from Poole, received the award at the Blind Veterans UK Founder’s Day Awards, held at the charity’s training and rehabilitation centre in Brighton on Monday (26/03).

Eddie says: “I was so surprised when I got the letter telling me that I had even been nominated for the award. I was even more surprised and hugely honoured to find out I won!

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Local sight loss charity steps back into the 70s for Murder Mystery

Blind Veterans UK, the charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, is inviting local residents to join them for a 70s-themed Murder Mystery evening.

The evening, titled Murder on the Dance Floor, has been written by A Play Fitted Theatre Company and will take place on Friday 15 June at Chateau Rhianfa, Menai Bridge.

Victoria Beech, Regional Fundraiser for Blind Veterans UK, says: “We’re hoping that, as usual, guests make the most of the opportunity to get dressed up and fully embrace the occasion!

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Pedal on the Prom to support your local military charity

Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, is calling on local cyclists to join them for a leisurely cycle ride.

The event will take place on Saturday 19 May, with North Wales Coastal path set to play host to a 93.6km cycle ride. Participants are welcome to join the ride at various locations between Barkby Beach Prestatn and Llandudno Cenotaph.

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