Supporters, we salute you!

Ian’s blindfolded bimble

Member Ian, from the Isle of Wight, organised a fundraising walk with a difference on 9 June. Walkers were asked to complete a 3km walk from Shanklin to Sandown blindfolded, with their partner guiding them. The pair then swapped places for the return leg.

Thirty people turned out to show their support and the walk took the group approximately two hours to complete. As it took place just days after the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Ian asked each pair to raise a minimum of £80.

He says: “I think those taking part were surprised how vulnerable they felt when they put on their blindfolds and started walking.”

Ian served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment for four years in his 20s and carried out tours in Iraq, Kuwait and Northern Ireland. In 2017, he tragically lost his sight after choking at home while eating dinner with his family.

He says: “My brain was starved of oxygen which has resulted in severe sight loss. A simple everyday activity changed my life overnight.

“My sight loss has had a huge impact on my life. Everyday activities like taking a walk, preparing a meal, or spending time socialising with friends or playing with my two daughters became difficult and my confidence reached an all-time low.

“Discovering the charity has turned my life around. I can now walk safely unaided with a cane, prepare food with a talking microwave and I’ve met and spent time with other blind veterans which has helped me to imagine a life for myself beyond sight loss.

“Being able to meet others in the same boat as you means you are all on the same playing field and sight loss isn’t the first thing that we notice about each other.

“I’ve also attended themed residential stays at the charity’s centres of wellbeing where I’ve taken part in a range of activities from footgolf to axe throwing. My confidence has been boosted and I’ve been spurred on to spend time with family and friends.

“I want to ensure that other veterans like me can receive life-changing support for years to come.”

Rebecca’s kilt walk

Rebecca Jarps chose to walk 18 miles wearing a kilt to say thank you for the support we give her grandad. 

Rebecca, 32, took on the Aberdeen Kilt walk on 2 June, which saw walkers dressed in an array of kilts making their way from Duthie Park to Bellfield Park in around seven hours.  

Rebecca says, “I chose to raise money for the charity because of the amazing support offered to my Granda. Every time I speak to him, he tells me about his new adventures with Blind Veterans UK and his time away at the centre in Llandudno. 

“He and my nana would stay together at the centre for holidays, prior to her passing in 2020. When she passed away, my Granda lost a lot of his independence, but being able to visit the Llandudno Centre really helped him through the grieving process.

“Finding new friends, activities and a sense of belonging has been a huge comfort to him.” 

Rebecca’s grandad, Brian Jarps, joined the Merchant Navy at 21-years-old and served for five years as an onboard engineer. His service took him all around the world and he spent a lot of time in both North and South America.  

Brian first noticed he was losing his sight around nine years ago. He has age related macular degeneration and is registered as severely sight impaired.  

He says: “The charity has saved my life. Once I walk through the door at the Llandudno Centre all my problems go away and I know I’m part of a big family who will keep me safe. 

“Before losing my sight, I enjoyed gardening and woodwork. I still do these things; I turn pens and birdboxes. Life doesn’t end because you lose

your sight. 

“I am so very proud of Rebecca for taking on this challenge to support me and my fellow blind veterans.” 

Janine’s 84-mile trek

Intrepid supporter, Janine Mussett, walked the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall in a bid to raise awareness for Blind Veterans UK and honour her dad who passed away a year ago.

Joined by her partner and two friends, she walked for six to seven hours a day to cover the 84-mile route in six days.

Janine’s dad, Joe, served in the Army with the Royal Anglian Regiment. During his service he completed three tours of Northern Ireland, although he never spoke of his experience. 

Joe lost his sight due to macular degeneration in his late 60s. He was only 71 when he died and, sadly, the family only found out about the support available from the charity a few months prior to his passing.  

During their walk from Carlisle to Newcastle, the group marked two poignant dates: the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the first anniversary of Joe’s death. Janine made sure she raised a pint of Carling - Joe’s tipple - to mark the day.

She says, “By doing this walk and wearing a Blind Veterans UK T-shirt, I wanted to make sure that other veterans know about the charity as the support that my dad was offered was amazing. He was really looking forward to getting more involved and staying at one of the centres for a holiday. 

“Dad was massively affected by his sight loss. He was such an independent man and losing his sight took his choices away from him. He suddenly had to rely on others. 

“He found life with sight loss lonely, but getting a white cane made a huge difference as people then knew to say ‘hello’ to him, rather than just smile and he was no longer seen as ‘the rude man sat in the corner’. 

“I believe that with the support of Blind Veterans UK, Dad would have regained even more independence and I want to make sure that others who are eligible don’t miss out. For me, raising awareness of the charity is my biggest goal - and we also raised money along the way.” 

If you’d like to take on a challenge, we have lots of ideas to inspire you. Just email the team at fundraising@blindveterans.org.uk or take a look at our website at blindveterans.org.uk/fundraise.