Cwmbran Shopping is hosting a day of activities today is to raise awareness of impaired vision. From 10am-4pm a number of events will take place at in the town centre to support Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for visually impaired ex-service men and women.
The day will coincide with Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace, the annual military parade which celebrates the Queen’s birthday.
Blind Veterans UK was founded in 1915 to offer support to blind ex-service men and women, and it estimates that there are over 68,000 blind veterans in the UK who could be eligible for support from the charity.
The day will include a variety of events, including a gardening workshop led by a blind veteran aimed to educate children on how visual impairment impacts other senses. The children will be able to take home seeds they plant.
Ten shoppers will receive free bouquets of flowers from the centre, presented by a visiting member of the Queen’s Guard wearing the iconic scarlet uniform.
Customers can take photos with the Queen’s Guard soldier and Charlie Parkinson, a blind ex-soldier, who will answer questions on life as a blind person.
Meet Cwmbran man Charlie who gets help with his sight loss
Charlie, 37, served in the 1st Battalion of the King’s Regiment and the Royal Army Medical Corps between 1995 and 2002.
He suffers from glaucoma, a condition that has gradually deprived him of his sight, to the point where he now has only 2% vision. Since joining Blind Veterans UK in 2012, Charlie has received free support to help him live independently with sight loss.
Charlie said: “Blind Veterans UK has helped me with everything from IT training to supplying gadgets that help me in everyday activities such as running, which I really enjoy. I have even managed to run the London Marathon.
“One of the best things about the Army was the camaraderie – it was like being part of a big family. I lost that when I left the Forces, but I’ve been welcomed into the Blind Veterans UK family now and regularly visit its centre in Llandudno.
“The charity has given me so much help and I want to show my support. The awareness day will really help show people the amazing work Blind Veterans UK do to support people like me.”
Blind Veterans UK
Victoria Beech, Regional Fundraiser at Blind Veterans UK, said: “Many people assume our charity only supports veterans who have lost their sight in service, but we hope this event will help promote our charity as a service that helps all veterans with severe visual impairments.
“We encourage any veteran battling sight problems to call our free helpline on 0800 389 7979 or visit our website at www.noonealone.org.uk to access support.”
Centre manager Paul Rich, an ex-soldier who served in the Coldstream Guards from 1988 to 1994, said: “Blind Veterans UK is an outstanding charity that I am particularly passionate about and it is very important to share the work the charity carries out with the local community.
“We hope the awareness day will enhance people’s understanding of the daily challenges being visually impaired can bring. It is such a worthwhile cause, and it has been a privilege to work with the charity.”