A BLIND veteran from East Sussex has said thank you to those who supported Blind Veterans UK’s ‘Gift a Wreath’ campaign this Remembrance which enabled him to lay a wreath in his local community.
Tony Harbour, 88, from Saltdean in Brighton, laid a wreath at the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway War Memorial at Brighton Train Station during a Remembrance parade on Saturday 11 November.
Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, supports blind veterans each year to make the journey to London and march past the Cenotaph but recognises that many veterans no longer feel able to travel to London and instead choose to mark the occasion closer to home surrounded by loved ones and fellow veterans in their community.
The charity invited local groups, businesses and organisations to ‘Gift a Wreath’ to be laid by its blind veterans so they could take an active role in Remembrance at local events around the country.
The money raised ensures ongoing support for blind veterans in those communities.
Thea Pharmaceuticals, Llandudno funeral directors Tom Owen and Sons, Anglesey Hotel Chateau Rhianfa, and interior designers HomeSmiths, who recently assisted in the refurbishment of the Blind Veterans UK Centre of Wellbeing in Rustington, gifted 12 wreaths.
Tony Harbour served in the RAF Police for nine years. Tony was registered blind in 2009; he lost his sight due to glaucoma.
He said: “It means so much to me to have laid a wreath in my local community this Remembrance and I’d like to thank the businesses that made this possible.
“Having the opportunity to lay a wreath and to be part of Remembrance Day events is a wonderful thing. I am laying the 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.”
Blind Veterans UK President, Colin Williamson said: “Many of our veterans are unable to make the journey to the Cenotaph in London or would prefer to be surrounded by loved ones and veterans in their own community. This is why making wreaths available so more of our veterans can take an active part in Remembrance is so important.”
Philip Lewis-Williams, a Thea Pharmaceuticals cluster lead, said: “We all have busy lives, but we don’t all make the sacrifices that the guys and girls supported by Blind Veterans UK have made. If as an organisation we can help to bring a smile to people, then that is a brilliant way to say thank you for the sacrifice they have made.”
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
If you would like to ‘Gift a Wreath’ and help veterans like Tony to take part in Remembrance next year, visit Blind Veterans UK’s website: blindveterans.org.uk/giftawreath
