Celebrating our volunteers at RAF Cranwell

In August, we took time to pause, reflect and celebrate the people who make so much of our work possible - our incredible volunteers.

A group of volunteers from across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire joined us at RAF Cranwell for an afternoon of celebration and recognition. It was a chance to say thank you for the time, energy and kindness they give to our blind veterans.

The highlight of the day was the presentation of our Founders Awards, first introduced to honour the legacy of our founder, Sir Arthur Pearson, in 1915. Today, they recognise those who carry forward his spirit of service, commitment and care.

Before the awards were presented, guests heard a moving tribute from Russel, the son of the late blind veteran Marie. He shared how much the support of volunteers had meant to his mother and his whole family.

Warrant Officer Tracey Kenworthy, RAF Cranwell’s Service Community Support Officer, then presented certificates, commemorative coins and pin badges, and joined us in celebrating the dedication of our volunteers.

Our award winners

When Russel spoke at the celebration, he told the room:

“Despite the fact that both of them lived about 20 miles from Mum they not only increased the frequency of their visits but often stayed for hours at a time. The physical contact of just holding a hand did mean a lot to Mum – and to the family.”

He finished by sharing:

“Emma and Gill both deserve the utmost praise, respect and recognition for the extent, and manner in which they have both exceeded what anyone has a right to expect.”

Their Founders Awards celebrate the compassion and consistency they showed, and the profound impact they had on one veteran’s life.

Thanks to his dedication, the group now meets monthly, giving blind veterans and their partners a safe and welcoming place to share experiences, enjoy activities and listen to guest speakers. By creating that space, Peter has helped blind veterans in his area feel more connected and less alone.

His Inspiring Community Award celebrates his commitment to building stronger communities and reducing isolation.

David goes above and beyond to ensure blind veterans don’t miss out, travelling across the country to help them attend events, and even completing specialist training to support their individual needs on trips. His energy and dedication show what it means to truly go the extra mile.

His award recognises his dedication, generosity and passion for making life better for others.

Martin also lends his time to our National Creative Project, helping prepare and send craft packs that reach blind veterans right across the UK. His contribution makes a difference both locally and nationally.

His Founders Award celebrates his reliability, kindness and the difference he makes both locally and nationally.

The afternoon closed with a raffle and a lively cake auction, raising £133.55 in support of our work.

But more than anything, it was a day to pause and say thank you. As Russel reminded us in his speech, the support that volunteers provide don't just change the lives of blind veterans - they support families too.

His words touched everyone in the room - so much so that several volunteers told us afterwards they felt inspired to take on new roles themselves. That's the power of volunteering. Join us and you could be a part of it too.