I have set myself a challenge to swim 80 lengths of my local pool, as this year is the 80th anniversary for VE Day which falls on the 8 May 2025 - the day of my challenge. I will be aiming to start at 8am and to be complete by 8pm.

My goal is to raise at least £80 for Blind Veterans UK.

I will always be grateful to Blind Veterans UK for the life changing guidance and support given to me since losing my sight. I lost my sight suddenly and unexpectedly in my mid 40s. What I thought was a lazy Sunday morning nap turned into something a little more serious - a brain bleed was the problem. I am very lucky to be here at all.

I was discharged from hospital the day before the first lock down further adding to my feeling of loss and isolation. I spent the next few months trying to make sense of it all. I had a call out of the blue from my local support worker saying he had been given my details and he thought they could help I reluctantly agreed for him to visit as my initial thoughts went along the lines of oh no not a charity it will be full of 'churchies' and do gooders and nosy parkers...how wrong I was!

Please donate and help me reach my fundraising target. The money raised will help me give back to this charity, so they can continue to help other veterans gain their confidence and independence after sight loss.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.