Armed Forces Month

Commemorating D-Day 80 and National Armed Forces Day.

Two supporters outside holding collection buckets beside a banner with the words 'Do it for veterans'

June 2024 is a significant month for our blind veterans and the wider military community.

The 6 June marks the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings - better known as D-Day. On this date in 1944 this historic operation saw the Allied Forces mount the largest seaborne invasion in history, resulting in the liberation of France and ultimately changing the course of the Second World War.

As National Armed Forces Day also takes place in June - on Saturday 29th - there's no better time than the month of June to honour our brave D-Day veterans, along with all those Servicemen and women and their families who have made extraordinary sacrifices for our country.

Get involved

Harry and D-Day

We are very proud to have supported many veterans who were part of this operation. Including D-Day veterans like Harry, 102. Harry of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, was the last survivor of 29,000 men who landed at Sword Beach, where 630 men were killed or wounded. Harry's battalion was part of the first wave of the assault, tasked with destroying a gun battery that was targeting ships in the channel.

He said:

"In your mind it was just like another exercise, you’d done it so often. All of a sudden, I saw the ship next to mine... a big hole appeared in the side of the ship. A few seconds after came a big noise. No doubt nearly all of that battalion were killed. It brought it home that this was it."

Sadly Harry passed away in April 2024, we share his story in tribute to him.

A photo of Blind veteran Harry sitting at a table during an interview

"You never forget. You can even see some of the faces of your comrades who didn't make it. There were 17,000 that gave their lives. They are the people to remember."

D-Day veteran, Harry

Commemorations to make our veterans proud

We have a host of activities planned to make sure our blind veterans can be part of our commemorations throughout June.

If you or your organisation are looking for ways to commemorate and celebrate throughout the month of June, while also raising vital funds to support brave veterans like Harry, why not take a look at the following ideas.

D-Day 80

Commemorate this important anniversary of D-Day by getting creative with the number 80, or step back in time in time...

Plan a war memorial walk and set a fundraising target of £80 person.
Organise a military dinner or a 1940s tea dance.
Bake 80 cakes for your colleagues and hold a breakroom Brew Up.
Hold a military-themed quiz night at your local pub.
Go solo, or with friends or colleagues, to walk or run a distance of 80km during the month of June. Or challenge your class to run 80 laps of the school playground.

Armed Forces Day

Rally the troops and to come together in celebration and recognition of the service provided by our Forces - past and present - and their families.

Plan a street party, afternoon tea or break room Brew Up and raise a glass (or mug) to toast our forces.
Organise a collection in aid of Blind Veterans UK - approach your local place of worship, supermarket or local authority for a street collection. Don't forget to let us know!
Go a step further - quite literally! Sign up for a challenge or organise your own and start fundraising in the name of Armed Forces Day.