Blind Veterans UK staff and beneficiary awarded New Year Honours
A Blind Veterans UK staff member and beneficiary have been awarded honours in the King's New Year Honours list.
Our Working Age Case Manager Glynis Gillam received the British Empire Medal for services to veterans with visual impairment while blind veteran Clive Jones received an MBE for services to Blind Veterans UK.
For nearly 30 years, Glynis has dedicated herself to supporting our beneficiaries, and since 2016 has been championing younger blind veterans and helping them rebuild their confidence, skills and independence.
Her tireless commitment, warmth and compassion have made her a trusted advocate for those navigating the challenges of sight loss at a pivotal stage in their lives. Through innovative programme development and her ability to build deep, meaningful relationships, she has empowered countless younger veterans to exceed their own expectations and lead fulfilling, independent lives.
Glynis has been instrumental in ensuring beneficiaries’ voices shape our charity’s direction, from developing focus panels to helping design member conferences that give veterans a genuine platform to be heard. She has supported colleagues across wellbeing centres, contributed to strategy and training, and even stepped into nursing roles during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure beneficiaries received the care they needed.
Whether travelling the country to support veterans in crisis, organising major events such as the annual Remembrance March at the Cenotaph, or fulfilling bucket list wishes for those at the end of life, her leadership, compassion and selflessness have transformed lives across the charity.
"I’ve been moved, challenged and inspired more times than I can count. Those moments stay with you, and they change you. The veterans I’ve worked with face challenges most of us can barely imagine, reminding us every day that loss of sight does not mean loss of purpose, ambition or contribution."
Working Age Case Manager
Clive served in the British Army and has become a role model for injured veterans since losing his sight in 2000. He has overcome significant personal challenges to rebuild his life and has dedicated himself to helping others.
He has himself been supported by our charity for 25 years and supports other blinded veterans by providing them with crucial mentorship and support to help them adjust to sight loss. Clive has also raised over £116,000 for various charities including Blind Veterans UK and has contributed to his community through initiatives like installing a defibrillator and making lanyards for the NHS.
"It means the world to me. I was, and still am, in shock. When I fundraise, organise events, and raise awareness of the charity, I don’t do it for accolades or awards, but this is an absolute honour. I accept this award on behalf of all the blind veterans who do so much to raise awareness of the charity and to fundraise, their families, the volunteers who give their time and the staff who go above and beyond."
Blind veteran
In blind archery, Clive has achieved significant success. He is the British Blind Sport indoor and outdoor national champion, IBSA world silver medallist, and ranked number 4 in Europe and the World. He uses his sporting platform to help others and is the Chairman of the Blind Veterans UK Bowmen, encouraging other blind veterans to give the sport a try and showing through example what is possible with sight loss.
He says: “Blind Veterans UK has been an absolute life saver for me; without the charity, I don’t know what the future would have been for me, my wife and my children. They taught me to live again and showed me that there is life after sight loss.”
Our Chief Executive, Adrian Bell, says: “Glynis and Clive represent the very best of Blind Veterans UK. Their compassion, integrity and relentless commitment to our veterans embody everything we stand for as a charity. We are immensely proud of them, and this honour is a truly fitting recognition of the profound difference they have made to so many lives.”
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