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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Afghanistan July 2010. I lost my sight in a bomb blast so powerful it blew my helmet apart.   It was early one July morning in Helmand Province, Afghanistan when I took a step that was to change my life forever.   My surveillance party walked right into a booby trap. The improvised explosive device, or IED, exploded, killing my friend Sam instantly, and horribly wounding myself.   Several weeks later I woke up in a hospital bed in Selly Oak to be told I had lost one eye and was blinded in the other. At just 22 years old, my life as a special surveillance observer in the British Army was over.   Having never heard of Blind Veterans UK before the incident, I was surprised when I was visited by a representative from the charity in hospital. A few weeks later, I was invited to the charity’s Ovingdean Centre in Brighton for a two day assessment where I was subsequently told that I was eligible for support from the charity. Since joining the charity as a beneficiary I feel that I have been able to get used to the world again.   I knew after the incident that my career in the forces was over. However, Blind Veterans UK has provided me with all the support I need to get my independence back. Probably the biggest breakthrough I have been able to achieve so far, is being able to go to the shops unassisted. With the use of practical equipment like a cane, I have been able to do the things I probably took for granted before.   As well as supporting my mobility by providing me with Rehabilitation Officer, Blind Veterans UK has also provided me with specialist equipment so that I can develop his IT skills and stay in touch with friends.   I am running the London Virgin Marathon to give something back to the charity who have helped me so much.   Blind Veteran’s UK provides life long support for ex-Service men and Women who have lost their sight, whether it be during active service, or suffered vision problems later on in life.  Please visit Blind Veterans UK website for more information about this charity <span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://www.blindveterans.org.uk/">www.blindveterans.org.uk</a><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"> Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.

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