Christmas Appeal
Bring joy to blind veterans this Christmas.
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Just before Christmas three years ago, Wayne's life was turned upside down when he was told his sight loss was permanent.
This Christmas, you could give a blind veteran like Wayne the gift of a second chance. With your support, they can rediscover joy, rebuild their confidence, and receive the vital equipment they need to make the most of the year ahead.
Wayne felt utterly lost
With Christmas just around the corner, the diagnosis of genetic disorder retinitis pigmentosa nearly broke him. “I walked into the hospital as an independent man, and walked out registered blind."
Wayne knew he had to stay positive for his family, so they could enjoy Christmas. But he was struggling inside. "I didn't know who I was anymore because everything I knew had been stripped away," he says.
"I was in a dark place. I was down; I was depressed... l felt like my life had fallen apart."
Your support has helped Wayne rebuild his life
Attending our rehabilitation sessions has helped him adjust to sight loss. He's learnt new skills and can now do things for himself; he uses our specialist equipment for cooking and managing around the home.
"If I didn't have the support from Blind Veterans UK, I don't even want to think about where I'd be now."
In fact, Wayne has become so much more confident that, thanks to you, he's rekindled a passion for running. Of course, he worries about tripping, falling and navigating pedestrians - but he doesn't let it stop him.
Will you help bring blind veterans joy this Christmas?
By donating, you'll be giving blind veterans the support they need - not just for Christmas, but all year round.
A joyful New Year
With newfound confidence, Wayne is looking forward to an exciting year ahead.
On race days, Wayne runs with two guides from our Rustington Centre. After months of training, he recently completed a half marathon, and is now gearing up to take on his biggest challenge yet: the 2026 London Marathon. His first ever marathon and a life-changing milestone.
Running with a guide takes enormous trust. Wayne's taken around the course at speed, which is especially scary in a packed race. Earlier this year he took a tumble, but with remarkable resilience still made it across the finish line. Wearing his Blind Veterans UK T-shirt with pride, he said: “The whole team got me where I am today.”
"Running makes me realise that just because I've lost my sight it doesn't mean that I can't go out and do these things."
Sponsor Wayne's first London Marathon!
As Wayne trains for the 2026 London Marathon - his biggest challenge yet and his first ever marathon - please sponsor him today to show your support. Anything you can give will mean the world to him.
Find out more about Blind Veterans UK
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