Marking VE Day 80 across the country
Blind Veterans UK marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day in style with a series of heartfelt and memorable events across the country, honouring the bravery and sacrifices of veterans who served during the Second World War.
The celebrations were a testament to the resilience and spirit of those who fought for freedom and continue to inspire us today.
WWII veterans John, Harry and Ted arrive as guests of honour
Petwood: A historic celebration
The historic Petwood Hotel, once the headquarters of the 617 Dambusters RAF squadron, hosted a vibrant event on May 8th. The air was filled with music creating a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of the 1940s.
The guests of honour were, John, Harry and Ted, three WWII veterans who arrived in style leading a fleet of 1940s military vehicles which then went on display for all to enjoy.
All the guests, including over 60 blind veterans, enjoyed a hog roast and celebration cake made by the baker to HM The King. The highlight of the event was a special Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast of a Spitfire and Hurricane.
Cakes, celebrations and signing autographs at our VE Day event at Petwood Hotel
Manchester: art, music and reflection
The charity was also proud to host an event at Manchester Piccadilly Train Station, coming together with the local community for the two-minutes silence on the anniversary.
The Military Wives Choir provided performances and blind veteran artist Bryan was showing his unbelievable painting ability live and producing art for passers-by to take away.
One highlight of the day was a supporter called John, who arrived in Manchester for cancer treatment and happened to spot us at the station. He offered to play the bagpipes to break the two-minute silence - a moving moment for all. Watch on Instagram.
From painting and performances to shared stories and smiles, it was an incredible day raising awareness of our blind veterans.
Rustington: A celebration to remember
Our Rustington Centre, hosted a tea party for all the blind veterans staying with us for the week. Games were played and the centre was proud to display the stories portraits and illustrations of our 13 WWII veterans whose stories we were proud to capture and share. One of 1,000 beacons lit across the country shone brightly from our centre.
Veterans, staff and supporters came together at our Rustington Centre for a warm and memorable celebration, capped off by a beacon lighting.
Our incredible community
Across the UK, Blind Veterans UK organised various events in all corners to honour the 80th anniversary of peace in Europe. From musical storytelling in Edinburgh to fish and chips in Bangor, school visits in Preston to community teas in Torbay - our veterans gathered across the country to share memories and honour their comrades.
Our incredible supporters - and blind veterans themselves - also took on fundraising challenges big and small to help us continue our vital work. Each one a tribute to a generation who gave so much.
From coastal tributes to community gatherings, our veterans marked VE Day 80 in heartfelt ways up and down the country.
The stories that shaped VE Day 80
The celebrations were enriched by the personal stories of veterans like Thomas, Peter, John, and Alice, who shared their memories of VE Day. Thomas recalled attending a street party organised by his mother in Bethnal Green, where children enjoyed buns, cakes, and lemonade. Peter, stationed on the Isle of Man, described the mayhem of policing jubilant crowds. John, stationed at a remote airfield in Scotland, remembered the laughter and chaos that erupted among his fellow servicemen. Alice recalled the atmosphere of celebration being tinged with sadness for those lost when she heard the news at Bletchley Park.
These stories highlighted the mix of joy and sorrow that accompanied the end of the war, as veterans reflected on the relief of peace and the loss of comrades. We are so proud to provide a platform for these voices, ensuring that their experiences are remembered and honoured.
We were also proud to collaborate with renowned illustrator Martin Impey to create a special exhibition titled “After the Darkness,” featuring illustrations that brought veterans' memories to life.
These illustrations were displayed at The Cartoon Museum in London from April to June, allowing visitors to connect with the personal stories of our blind veterans.
“The charity is very dear to my heart as I had family members who lost their sight after service in both the First and Second World Wars, so when they asked if I wanted to do this, I jumped at the chance.”
Illustrator
The 80th anniversary of VE Day was a significant occasion for Blind Veterans UK, bringing together communities to celebrate and remember the sacrifices of those who served during the Second World War.
Through each event we were able to hold we could honour the resilience and bravery of veterans, while also raising awareness and support for those veterans living with sight loss today. The commemorations were a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of VE Day and the importance of supporting our veterans.
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