Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page…

A wise man once said that “you can beat an egg… you can beat a drum… you can beat a carpet… but you can’t beat a nice cup of tea!”

Through two World Wars and beyond, tea has unarguably been a symbol of comfort and a means to uplift spirits in times of turmoil. Soldiers in the thick of battle often clung to the familiar and soothing taste of a warm cuppa. The ritual of preparing and enjoying tea provided a much-needed sense of normalcy and respite from the harsh reality of war. This seemingly trivial yet crucial act of self-care helped soldiers maintain composure and calmness necessary to strategize and survive in turbulent times... but what if that simple pleasure in life became an obstacle to be overcome… that is the daily reality for thousands of vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

John Kenneth Grant was a proud man… proud of his roots in Somerset and of his formative years living with his parents and siblings at the Railway Inn, Draycott (opposite the old railway station).… proud of his National Service with the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment, during which he and three friends hitch-hiked home from Cyprus… proud of his over 30 years of service in the Metropolitan Police, rising through the ranks to become Superintendent… proud of his long & happy marriage to Della… proud of his children, Tim & Sue, their achievements and their decision to follow in his footsteps in joining the police… proud of his grandchildren, James & Rosie and their successes in their chosen fields… proud of his lifelong support (through thick & thin) of Bristol Rovers – “a gift” he handed down to both Tim & James… proud of his support over a number of years for the work of Blind Veterans UK... and proud to have been that wise man, living his life and adhering to that same maxim… you can’t beat a nice cup of tea!

In December 2023, the remarkable man some of you knew as "John" or “Superintendent Grant”, but who we are proud to call "Dad” and “Grandad” passed away and we created a tribute fund in his memory to help fund the work of Blind Veterans UK, a charity we know was close to his heart, supporting it in its current and former guise.

I can think of no more fitting tribute to such a wonderful man than to raise much needed funds in his memory for the ongoing support offered by Blind Veterans UK to the thousands of vision-impaired ex-Service men and women in rebuilding their lives.

Blind Veterans UK help veterans learn vital skills, give them the tools they need to discover life after sight loss and the support they need to live independent lives.

• £20 could buy a white cane that helps a blind veteran to get out and about

• £50 could buy a set of talking kitchen scales, helping veterans with sight loss to cook for themselves

• £100 could buy a high-tech large-button phone that ensures blind veterans can stay in touch with loved ones

On Sunday 11th October this year, I will be running the Bath to Bristol Railway Half Marathon in memory of Dad - the route following the old railway lines…

Then on Sunday 25th April 2027, I will be running the London Marathon… I would be grateful of your support for both these runs.

Thank you once again for visiting my JustGiving Page.

I will leave you with this thought... to donate is painless, it's the 26 miles of running, that I know from past experience are definitely going to hurt!

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About Blind Veterans UK

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 a dedicated centre in Rustington that provides 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.