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I will be climbing Kilimanjaro in Jan 2024 over a 6 day period in aid of Blind Veterans. I served in the RAF for 33 years and during COVID my partner and I were part of the local volunteer group assisting the less fortunate when we met and assisted Norman. As we got to know Norman it became apparent that the assistance he had received from Blind Veterans since becoming registered blind in 2013 had made an amazing difference in improving his quality of life.

Norman is now 92 years young and was 14 when he joined the Navy in 1945, he was a signalman in the Navy and served for 10 years. On leaving he had a successful career for 27 years in the Police Force ending up in Oxfordshire CID.

Blind Veterans UK is the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women. Founded in 1915 and previously known as St Dunstan’s, Blind Veterans UK has supported tens of thousands of Armed Forces and National Service veterans of every generation to rebuild their lives after sight loss. We help veterans learn vital life skills and give them the tools they need to discover a life after sight loss. We do this by giving veterans the rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support they need to live independent lives.   Our beneficiaries range from National Service veterans who lost their sight later in life due to age-related conditions, to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans blinded on duty. It doesn’t matter when a veteran served or how they lost their sight, we can help. We also provide services to carers and family members, whether in the form of information and advice, or by simply giving them the opportunity to take a break. Blind Veterans UK has a network of community support teams all over the UK who give blind veterans the rehabilitation and training they need closer to them, either in their own home or in their local area. We organise activities and events such as lunches, reunions and clubs, which gives our veterans the opportunity to be part of a community with a shared experience. We have two dedicated centres in Brighton and Llandudno that provide vital rehabilitation, training and respite care to promote independence and well-being. As well as providing free specialist equipment, we also support veterans to find new hobbies such as cooking, art and craft or a new sport.  While our charity initially cared for veterans blinded in active Service, today we help veterans no matter what caused their sight loss.    Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but we know there are thousands more who still need our 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/support .