A community football team in North Wales hosted a charity football match to raise money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Servicemen and women.
North Wales Dragons won the match on 23 September against charity team, Cheshire Autism FC, 8-0.
North Wales Dragons was set up in 2008 to support good causes. They use football as a vehicle to raise money and awareness for local and national charities.
Before the match, Blind Veterans UK Vice President and local resident Billy Baxter met the team in their dressing room to thank them for taking part.
Billy spoke about how the funds they had raised would help blind veterans and how the charity had helped him deal with his own sight loss.
Matt Spruce, who is 41, and lives in Colwyn Bay, is the match secretary at the club as well as being a coach and a player.
Matt said:
“Many of our players are around the age Billy was when he lost his sight. For them to hear from Billy about his experience as a man in his late 30s, with a young family to support, and to imagine the impact sight loss would have on their own lives really brought home the importance of raising money for Blind Veterans UK.
“It certainly motivated us to do well in the match!
“We hope to continue to support the charity with activities at their centre and with fundraising where we can.”
North Wales Dragons has already raised over £1000 for Blind Veterans UK. If you would like to support the team in raising even more money please visit their Just Giving page here: justgiving.com/north-wales-dragons-blind-veterans
If you are part of a community group or organisation that would like to get involved with Blind Veterans UK, email Blind Veterans UK’s community partnerships team.
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk/support
