Ten wreaths for ten years of support

Thea Pharmaceuticals is gifting ten wreaths to support blind veterans to take part in Remembrance events in their own communities.

Now in its tenth year of fundraising for our charity, Keele based Thea Pharmaceuticals will be gifting ten wreaths to mark ten years of their support.

Remembrance is a special time of year for veterans, their families and those in active service. Every November, blind veterans, staff and volunteers come together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Thea is now in its fourth year of supporting our ‘Gift a Wreath’ campaign. During its time as supporters of our charity, Thea has gifted wreaths to veterans from across the UK, ensuring they are able to take an active part in their local commemorations. Veterans like Clive:

Clive served in the British Army and was blinded 24 years ago while serving. He has been receiving our support since 2001. He says:

“I lay a wreath every year as a mark of respect to those who I once knew and to those who I didn’t. The sacrifice given by all Service men and women should never be forgotten. It’s so important to remember and also to educate those who don’t fully understand why wreaths are laid. 
 
“When laying the wreath, I think of all my friends and colleagues whom I’ve lost over the years. When I close my eyes and bow my head, I always think of my Great Uncle Richard; I wear his medals on my right side. He was special to me and we are the only members of my family to have served."

Our campaign invites businesses, local groups and individuals to ‘Gift a Wreath’.

Glaucoma Team Manager at Thea, Francesca, laid a wreath in Beckenham last year as part of the town's Remembrance Day Parade. She was joined by her two young sons to lay the wreath. She says:

“I was very honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of Blind Veterans UK and Thea. It makes it even more special to have done it with my children.

“The team at Thea, myself included, are so committed to our work with Blind Veterans UK, it’s really inspirational to see.

“I’ve been to the charity’s centre on numerous occasions, receiving such a warm welcome from the veterans and staff. Getting a good understanding of the work Blind Veterans UK does, has made the Team at Thea even more committed to support them each year.”

Over the years, Thea colleagues have raised money for us in a variety of ways including bike rides, bake sales, marathons and even donkey walking raising a total of £76,000. In May, six colleagues from the organisation completed a skydive to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and to remember and celebrate blind veterans who took part in the Second World War as well as those who have served since.

Navneet was one of the group who took on the skydive In May. He says:

“This May marked the 80-year anniversary of VE Day – the end of the Second World War. It’s easy to forget the significance of these events when you weren’t alive to see it for yourself, but it’s because of the sacrifice of so many men and women at that time, that we can live the lives we do today. So, I thought, what better way to show some support than by taking a dive out of a plane!"

Thank you

Our relationship with Thea has grown in strength over the past ten years and hasn’t only been about fundraising. We have also seen staff volunteering with our veterans and supporting campaigns such as our annual Gift a Wreath campaign.

Victoria, from our Community Partnerships team, says: 

“We are privileged that Thea Pharmaceuticals, an organization, that understands only too well the impact of sight loss, has chosen to champion us. We thank them for their continued support.

“Our Gift a Wreath campaign is a lovely opportunity for local businesses, community groups and individuals to show their support for service personnel past and present who have sacrificed, and continue to sacrifice, so much for our country. 

“Those who gift a wreath will have their name added to the wreath and the option to add a message of Remembrance to the ‘Gift a Wreath’ page on the Blind Veterans UK website.”