Businesses sponsor wreaths this Remembrance

Kelly from Tom Owen and Sons Funeral Directors accompanied blind veteran Billy to lay a wreath that they had sponsored at Llandudno's War Memorial.

She said:

“It was such a fantastic day and one I am so proud and humbled to have been a part of.

“I wanted to do my very best for Billy as I knew how much the occasion meant to him.

“Meeting Billy and the other blind veterans that were there was truly inspirational. I also had the privilege of joining them back at the charity’s Centre of Wellbeing to be given a tour. It was great to see all of the work that the charity does.”

Stephanie from Thea Pharmaceuticals laid a wreath on behalf of our charity in Newcastle Under Lyme.

She said:

“It was an honour to represent Blind Veterans UK and Thea Pharmaceuticals in laying the wreath. Blind Veterans UK was announced and I took my steps forward through the crowd towards the Cenotaph, carefully laying the wreath and paying my respects dutifully.

“It was wonderful to be part of the service and meant a lot after raising funds for Blind Veterans UK when running the London Marathon this year. It was something I will never forget.”

Blind veteran Jim laid a wreath at the Rustington War Memorial in West Sussex that had been funded by the ‘Sponsor a Wreath’ campaign.

He said:

“It’s very important for me to pay my respects as so many people through the ages have lost their lives in a bid to defend our freedom.

“I was incredibly proud to lay a wreath on behalf of my fellow blind veterans and on behalf of the charity who have done so much for me.”

99-year-old Second World War veteran Victor visited our Centre of Wellbeing in Llandudno for the first time during for the themed military week. Our blind veterans came together at the end of the week to join the town's Remembrance Parade where Victor laid a wreath, sponsored by Chateau Rhianfa. He said:

“It’s wonderful to come to a place where everyone is so understanding of the needs of those with sight loss. I used to enjoy coach holidays, but in the last few years have begun to find the outings and trips a little daunting. The support you get to enable you to access the activities and excursions is outstanding.

"The highlights from this week for me have been the Military Dinner – where I was asked to sit on the top table – and being given the honour to lay a wreath on behalf of my fellow blind veterans.”