Gift a Wreath 2024
Remembrance is a special time of year for veterans, their families and those in active service. Every November, blind veterans, charity staff, and volunteers come together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
On Remembrance Sunday, we support our blind veterans in making the journey to London to march past the Cenotaph but many veterans choose to mark the important occasion at events closer to home.
We provide wreaths to these veterans so they too can play an active part in Remembrance.
Last year we invited organisations, groups and individuals to ‘Gift a Wreath’ to be laid by blind veterans and we're once again calling out to supporters to take part in our campaign.
A suggested donation of £200 will enable a blind veteran to take part in Remembrance in their local community. It will also ensure our veterans are able to continue receiving vital support to help them lead independent and fulfilling lives.
Our veterans have shared what it means to them to lay a wreath:
Tony
Tony, 89, served with the RAF Police for nine years. He attends Remembrance service at Brighton Train Station each year where commuters, station staff and veterans stand side by side. He says:
“Having the opportunity to lay a wreath and to be part of Remembrance Day events is a wonderful thing. I lay a wreath on behalf of Blind Veterans UK which is an honour. It’s an honour every year that I stand and remember the fallen.
“Those who fought for our freedom must never be forgotten, they gave their lives so we can be who we are today. It’s about remembering so many people including my father who fought in the First World War and fellow veterans who are no longer with us but were like brothers to me.”
Noeline
Blind veteran Noeline will be laying a wreath at the Ynysangharad War Memorial. Noeline served in the Army and laid a wreath at the location last year. She says:
“It meant the world to me to lay a wreath for Remembrance, representing all the blind veterans who have gone before me and those who are supported by the charity now. I felt truly humbled by the experience and want to say a great big thank you ‘diolch yn fawr’ to those who gifted wreaths, and to those who are gifting a wreath this year, it makes it possible for veterans like me to do this; I hope they know how appreciated they are.”
Graham
Graham, 97, from South Wales served in the Army with the South Wales Borderers between 1946 and 1949.
Macular degeneration has left Graham with very little sight and after losing his wife he was lonely and lost. He began to receive our support in 2016. He says:
“I live on my own and the charity has been a great help to me. I’ve been supported with equipment like a machine that can read my letters, I visit their centre in Llandudno as often as I can and attend a dinner once a month for the blind veterans that live in my local area.”
Last year Graham laid a wreath in his village alongside his own community and will be laying a wreath again this year. He says:
“It meant everything to me to lay a wreath. I was honoured to be representing Blind Veterans UK. It is only a small village but you wouldn’t believe how packed the Remembrance event was; everyone was clapping as I laid my wreath and I felt so proud. I want to say thank you to Blind Veterans UK and to those who have supported the ‘Gift a Wreath’ campaign for making it possible.”
Being supported to lay a wreath near their homes means so much to our veterans. Have you been inspired to sign up to our "Gift a Wreath" campaign?
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