The Challenge:

On 1st June I will be undertaking a 26-mile hike along the Gower coast to raise money for Blind Veterans UK.

This section of the Wales Coastal path will see me tackle a variety of terrain, including steep and uneven ascents to cliff tops, sandy dunes and (depending on the good old Welsh weather!) wet, slippery and potentially marshy areas. This – combined with the impact of varying light levels - will be particularly challenging as a result of my sight loss, making the challenge mentally as well as physically exhausting.

In 2020, I lost my sight to a condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa. As a result I have no peripheral vision, am completely colour blind and it takes me longer to adjust to changes in light levels. This all makes it difficult to interpret what I am able to see with my limited tunnel vision and to move confidently in unfamiliar surroundings.

I will be joined on my challenge by Blind Veterans UK ROVI (Rehabilitation officer for the Visually Impaired) Sam.

Sam has been so encouraging throughout my sight loss journey so it means a lot to have him with me while I do something to raise awareness of and funds for the Blind Veterans UK.

My good friends Colin and Chris will also be joining us - these guys deserve a special thank you as they have been training with me in preparation of the challenge.

Why I want to support Blind Veterans UK:

Having been medically discharged from the Army in 1983 as a result of my sight loss diagnosis, I knew my sight loss was coming but when it went downhill rapidly in 2020, I became incredibly depressed. Everything I’d worked for, I had to give up and I could no longer drive. I went from having everything to nothing in a few months and then the Covid pandemic hit and I saw that as a sign and just didn’t go anywhere. I lost my independence and my motivation.

Luckily for me, my optician asked if I’d been in the military and told me about Blind Veterans UK.

I began receiving support from Blind Veterans UK in 2023, including specialist assessments, cane training and advice from my ROVI Sam. I now catch the bus on my own and walk as far as I can which is usually five miles along the promenade.

I’ve received equipment such as magnifiers that have enabled to read my own mail.

In addition to giving me back my confidence and independence, Blind Veterans UK has given me a sense of belonging. Staff like Sam go above and beyond to get you involved – I’ve become part my local Blind Veterans UK lunch clubs and have visited a centre. There is always someone phoning to check in on you. Blind Veterans UK has helped me rebuild my life after sight loss.

How you can help:

I hope to raise at least £600 to help ensure other blind veterans like me can receive life changing support from Blind Veterans UK. £600 could pay for three training visits from a ROVI like Sam, giving a blind veteran the opportunity to receive life changing cane training to help them get out and about.

You can help me reach this target in the following ways;

- Make a donation via my page – all funds go directly to the charity.

- Share my story by sharing this Just Giving page on your social media channels.

- Get involved! My challenge is timed to take place in Armed Forces Month. During this time, Blind Veterans UK encourages supporters to undertake activities and challenges that raise vital funds to support their life changing work while highlighting National Armed Forces Day. It’s important to keep a spotlight on the sacrifice that our Armed Service personnel and their families make every day to serve their country and I hope I’m doing my bit by doing this challenge in the month of June. Visit Blind Veterans UK's website to look at the activities and ideas for ways you too could get involved in Armed Forces Month.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.