My story

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 www.blindveterans.org.uk

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.

 

My gallery 4

My Teams

My company

My charity

Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstan's)

Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstan's)

Charity Registration No. 216227

We give blind veterans much-needed support to adjust to sight loss, overcome the challenges of blindness and enjoy daily life. Our charity has been offering physical and emotional support to vision-impaired members of our military since 1915.

Donations 171

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All thebest mate.Good luck with everything. LATEO

Donation by daniel halliwell on 03/04/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Good Luck Rob.

Donation by Jean Woollard on 03/04/12

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Best of luck, Rob. Let's hope baby doesn't come early! From Tash and Kellie at your NCT class!! X X

Donation by Natasha Williams on 03/04/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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What a good cause! I hope you raise lots of money for them and that you enjoy the run.

Donation by Gillian Silverman on 03/04/12

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

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GOOD LUCK ROB ,HOPE TO BE THERE TO SUPPORT YOU BOTH .ALL THE BEST MATTHEW & KARENXXX

Donation by matthew phillips on 02/04/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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A true inspiration, good luck Rob xx - I will cheer you along!!

Donation by Emma Hamilton on 02/04/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Full of admiration for you.

Donation by amanda quigley (a former student of Rob) on 02/04/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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So proud of both of you guys! We'll be there cheering you on. Good luck.

Donation by Lucy and Vickie at the Wendy house xx on 02/04/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Proud, and humble....

Donation by Rob Rolfe on 01/04/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

Donation by alice brown on 01/04/12

£40.00

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Rob you are a fantastic inspiration and wishing you the best. congrats on the little 'un and love to you and yours!

Donation by Dinah Michelman on 01/04/12

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So proud of you Rob & Tel! looking forward to shouting you on x x x

Donation by aimie long on 01/04/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

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Good luck Rob! Hope to see you on the day... or afterwards for a celebratory pint!

Donation by Molly Wilmot on 01/04/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Well done for doing this, Rob! Very glad we can support you and so proud of how you have coped with everything over the last year and a half!

Donation by Martha, Pete, Noah & Bump on 01/04/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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I thought my days of giving you pocket money were long gone . Well done boy Ill be at various posts shouting you on

Donation by beverley scott on 01/04/12

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Good luck!

Donation by Maria Trzcinska on 01/04/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Good Luck Rob smash it up!

Donation by Richard Kinrade on 01/04/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Rob, you and your wife are a true inspiration and you epitomise all it is to be a Special Observer.

Donation by Waggy on 01/04/12

£20.00

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Rob, you are one amazing guy. Lateo.

Donation by Frederick Greenhow on 27/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Rob, All the best on the day.

Donation by Kerry Levins on 27/03/12

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous on 27/03/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£3,941.38
  • Offline donations£0.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£3,941.38
  • Gift Aid£903.85

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.