Value of local community support

In just a few weeks, blind veteran Stu will join six of his fellow blind veterans for the South Coast Ultra walking challenge. The support of his local community has led Stu to have already raised over £4,000 for our charity, showing how small businesses and local organisations can all play a part in making a big difference.

Stu, 52, and from West Sussex, has been blown away by the support he’s received and wants to thank all of those who have been there by his side whether they have made a donation, helped promote the event, or supported him in his preparation. Together they have helped to give Stu the confidence to challenge himself to the 100km distance.

On Saturday 5 September, he will set off from Eastbourne to walk along the South Downs Way with the rest of the Blind Veterans UK team, all of whom have set themselves their own personal goal to walk 57km or 100km.

Support

Stu is incredibly grateful to all the local businesses and people in his community and beyond that have shown him their support. He says:

“I didn’t expect the reaction I’ve had; it’s really overwhelming to know that I have so many people willing me on to succeed. They’ve helped me to promote my event, made donations, placed collections tins and posters in their businesses, organised activities and offered support in other ways that has helped me to be ready for the task ahead. I also have the incredible support of friends, family and my fiancée Rosie." 

Thank you

Stu wants to recognise those who have supported him. Some have known him for years such as Sean from Altitude Lightening Protection who was the first to make a donation to his Just Giving page. Sean says:

“Stu and I were friends at school and myself, and my family were there by his side throughout his journey in hospital for the awful three years.

“Since being supported by Blind Veterans UK, Stu has grasped life with a renewed vigour and has decided not to let sight loss hinder him, if anything it has given him a purpose to prove to others that you can live a normal life with sight loss. His dedication to raise awareness and help others with the same issue is inspiring.”

Chris from Knight Butchers has known Stu for many years but thought he had died when he ‘vanished off the face of the earth’ for three years. He has made a donation towards Stu’s fundraising. He says:

“It’s typical of Stu to take on such a demanding challenge, and I’m sure he will complete the walk, not just because of his fitness but his sheer determination.”

Others have only known Stu since his sight loss but have been just as inspired by his story. Jon from Plane Carpentry and his wife met Stu two years ago in their local pub. He says:

“When we found out how Stu had lost his sight we were stunned. As we have got to know him more, his strength shines through in both his dark humour and his ability to carry on and lead a normal life.

“We were more than happy to help out with Stu and his amazing walks, I would struggle to complete them myself with working eyes. He is a true inspiration to me.”

Jon has not only made a donation but has also asked his fellow contractors to put Stu’s poster up in their branches to help with his fundraising and spreads the word among his customers.

Leesa from Blind Faith Tattoo Collective has known Stu for a year and has made a donation. She says:

“When Stu first visited us, we got to hear about everything he had been through. What blew my mind was, despite it all, he is one of the most positive and compassionate people I’ve ever met, he is such a joy to be around.

“Knowing all that Stu has overcome and his strength and determination, we know he will absolutely smash this challenge.”

Lee and Sophie who own The Quill in Rustington met Stu when he popped in for a drink ahead of last year's South Coast Ultra. Lee says:

"We were genuinely amazed that he was prepared to take on such a demanding challenge without being able to see. It is difficult for us to even imagine what that must be like, and the determination and courage involved really struck a chord with us. We decided that we wanted to sponsor him and become more involved in supporting what he was doing.

"Stu came back to us again this year and told us about the new challenges he is planning, including taking on the full South Coast Ultra. There was absolutely no hesitation from us in wanting to support him again.

"For us, it is a privilege to be able to support both Stu and Blind Veterans UK. The charity has a strong local connection to us here in Rustington, which makes it particularly meaningful, but we are also very proud to support Stu personally.”

Mike and Anya own three local businesses and have shown their support to Stu. Mike says:

"Being a veteran myself, having served with 22 signal regiment, Stu and I had a few stories in common. Then we got to discover his story, including the difficulties of losing his sight and how Blind Veterans UK has given him a new lease of purpose albeit to take on some difficult challenges. I know he will succeed with his determination and the ingrained attitude of never give up, it's an Army thing.

"Although not being with him on this challenge we will definitely be there in spirit wishing him well."

Other ways to support

Following last year’s South Coast Ultra, Stu’s feet were in need of some serious TLC. Katie from Worthing Footwork’s Podiatry stepped in to help. Stu says:

“When I finished last year’s Ultra, my first words were ‘I’ve done that now; I’m never walking anywhere again. I lost four toenails! Katie has been helping me to prepare and hopefully my feet will survive this time.”

Last year Stu was guided by Gary from the Veterans Volunteer Service. Sadly, Gary is unable to be there for this year’s event and Stu will be guided by Rich who works at our Rustington Centre. However, Gary has been Stu’s trainer throughout the past year building up his fitness and his confidence. Gary says:

“I served in the Parachute Regiment and I’m a physical training instructor. I set up the Veterans Volunteer Service alongside my wife Poppy. When I met Stu, he had recently come out of hospital and there had been a deterioration in his mental health and fitness. He was particularly struggling with his balance. I’ve been training with him twice a week and Stu recently joined us for a 30km walk along the historic British front line to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

“We have some exciting challenges coming up in 2027 with Stu and will continue to work alongside him. I think Stu’s determination and his story will be inspirational and he’ll change a lot of people’s lives.”

Earlier this year, Stu, Gary and Poppy also showed their support to Jason, a Royal Fusilier veteran completing his own epic challenge walking the entire UK coast. They joined Jason for two legs of his challenge as Stu recognises the importance of veterans supporting one another.

Stu’s sight loss

Stu lost his sight four years ago due to a brain injury. He suffered a respiratory arrest and a delay in being resuscitated meant his brain was starved of oxygen. He spent three years in hospital, initially placed in an induced coma and then receiving rehabilitation. He says:

“I’m coming up to my second-year anniversary of being out of hospital and being supported by Blind Veterans UK. I am lucky to be alive as there was a point where they considered turning off my life support. When I first came to the charity, I was like a lost lamb, but I’ve come such a long way. I take life by the horns and seize any opportunity that comes my way.

“The support I’ve had from Blind Veterans UK and the VVS has been nothing short of phenomenal. I’ve achieved so much; I couldn’t even make myself a coffee back then but now I have been given the opportunity to have my life again and I want to give back to the charity.

“I’ll be guided by Rich during the South Coast Ultra who works alongside Theresa at the Blind Veterans UK centre in Rustington. Together they work as part of the Wellbeing Team and have done so much to support my physical fitness and rehabilitation alongside Gary and Poppy from the VVS."

Making a donation

Stu hopes to raise awareness of the support offered by our charity as well as fundraise so that we can support even more blind veterans. He would like to thank businesses that have made donations and placed collection tins in their premises.

If you would like to make a donation, you can visit one of the many businesses that have supported Stu by placing a collection tin and a fundraising poster:

- The Bull in Goring

- Ye Old House at Home in Worthing

- The North Star in Worthing

- The Quill in Rustington

- The Castle in Goring

- The Little Tipple in Ferring

- The Snug in Ferring

- The Verandah Café in Goring

- Love at First Bite sandwich shop in Goring

- Trax Gym in Worthing

- Knights Butchers

- The Toby Carvery, Goring.

Alternatively, you can visit Stu’s Just Giving page: