Christmas Appeal
Blind veterans deserve a happy Christmas.
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Can you imagine preparing Christmas if you couldn't see?
That's the reality for the thousands of blind veterans around the country.
Without your support, they struggle to cook for themselves and read their own post on a normal day. But at Christmas, it is even harder, especially when sight loss has made them isolated.
Thankfully, with the right equipment, blind veterans can lead independent lives and prepare a perfect Christmas — decorating, wrapping and cooking for their families. And for those without loved ones to celebrate with, our centres of wellbeing open their doors and provide comfort and joy.
By donating today, you're helping blind veterans to have a happy Christmas.
Being able to prepare a family Christmas is really important to Jan.
After 30 years in the Royal Navy, Jan thought she could cope with anything. But when she lost her sight, she was devastated. The joy of a family Christmas was something she dreaded missing out on.
Thankfully, Jan has learned how to be independent, using advice and equipment from Blind Veterans UK. She can wrap presents, decorate her home and do all the shopping. Perhaps her greatest triumph is the Christmas dinner. She can't read instructions on a packet or see the dials on her oven but read on to find out how she single-handedly prepares the entire meal.
"My world seemed to shrink because my vision was shrinking. But once I got engaged with the charity, it felt like my world was opening back up again."
Blind veteran
Our veterans are taught to use the organisation skills they learned in the military and Jan wakes up on Christmas morning with the day planned out. She can cook the turkey because she has bumpons on her oven — they're little tactile markers so she can feel when the dial is turned to the right temperature.
She can use her scanner to read out the instructions on a packet. She can't see the clock, so she uses her voice-activated Amazon Echo to get her timings right. Jan starts with whatever takes the longest time and adds items as the Echo device counts down for her. Everything is ready at the same time and the whole family is thrilled with Jan's meal.
"The massive amount of support, the technology and equipment will help you live as normal a life as possible."
Blind veteran
Not every blind veteran has loved ones to share Christmas with.
Our centre of wellbeing in Llandudno offered blind veteran Elwyn a place to spend Christmas after his beloved wife died. Instead of being alone, Elwyn was surrounded by good cheer.
He woke up to a stocking hanging on the door and enjoyed a meal with his ex-Service friends. Local people donate bottles to the centre so the blind veterans have plenty to toast the King with.
Donate now
With the right support, blind veterans who are struggling with sight loss can enjoy Christmas — in their homes or at our centre.
Your donation today will mean more blind veterans have a happy Christmas.
More ways to support our work
Play our raffle and lottery
Have some fun, help blind veterans and be in with a chance to win some cash by playing our raffle and lottery.
Fundraise for us
Whether you want to run a marathon or host a pub quiz, your fundraising efforts are vital to the work we do.
Become a volunteer
Volunteers are crucial to the work we do. Find out how you could make a huge difference to blind veterans' lives.
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