RAF Brize Norton welcomed a group of veterans, staff and volunteers from Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, to visit the air base and present them with £700 which had been raised for the charity.
Three blind veterans supported by the charity, three volunteers and three members of staff were invited to attend the base on Saturday 13 September where they were hosted by Corporal Rob Flint, an RAF medic in the RAF Reserves and a supporter of Blind Veterans UK.
The group were treated to a tour of Rob’s squadron where they were able to see two mock up helicopters as well as touch and feel medical prosthetics. They then moved out onto the airfield to visit the aircraft.
Rob says:
“It was important to me that I provided opportunities for the group to touch, feel and hear the equipment on the base. I wanted the visit to be as tactile and sensory as possible.
“I was previously based at RAF Valley and, during my time there, I met a group of blind veterans who came for a visit. I was inspired by their stories and hearing how they are supported by Blind Veterans UK.
“They spoke of how they were isolated and had a lack of social opportunities before discovering the charity but how this turned around. This hit a nerve with me as being in the military family is all about camaraderie and it is so important to us. This is how I came to put the charity forward to benefit from fundraising at our Christmas event in 2024.”
Sian Thomas, from the Blind Veterans UK Community Partnerships Team, says: “The support we receive from serving members of the military is incredibly special to us and our veterans. I want to say a huge thank you to the personnel at RAF Brize Norton especially Rob for taking the time to welcome Blind Veterans UK to the base and for choosing to support us with your fundraising.”
If you would like to find out more about fundraising for Blind Veterans UK, visit the charity’s website: blindveterans.org.uk/fundraise
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk/gethelp
