A blind veteran from Durham has received the Life Beyond Sight Loss award from the military charity Blind Veterans UK to recognise her outstanding efforts supporting the charity this year.
Vivian Yates, 86, originally from Corbridge, received the award at the Blind Veterans UK Founder’s Day Awards which were held at the charity’s training and rehabilitation centre in Llandudno last week.
Vivian says: “I feel utterly shocked. I never thought at the age of 86 that I would ever receive such an award.”
Vivian was nominated by Jo Cliff, Community Support Worker, and Carol Johnston, Community IT instructor, who are both part of the North East community team at Blind Veterans UK. She has been awarded for her commitment to the charity and in particular, the help and support she has given its Ferry Hill Community IT training group, mentoring beginners on their IT skills. In their nomination proposal, Jo and Carol said:
“Her first response to any request is ‘Yes, no problem’ and she is a wonderful ambassador for Blind Veterans UK. Vivian is so kind in her expression of thanks and never fails to notice and acknowledge the actions of other people, however small. At her core is a desire to help and support others”.
As well as supporting the IT training group, Vivian has also helped in the arts and crafts department, worked on a Christmas social media campaign and gave an uplifting speech at one of the charity’s blind veteran reunions.
Vivian says: “When I lost my sight, my life came to a standstill. I was stuck in a hole and Blind Veterans UK lifted me out of it. The support I’ve had has given me a new lease of life. I have done an IT course, a sewing course and the charity have provided me with a mobile phone which I use to the fullest extent. I would like to thank all the Blind Veterans UK staff – what a life I have gained.”
Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK, Major General (Rtd) Nick Caplin CB says: “Our Founder’s Day Awards are the highest honour Blind Veterans UK gives to the veterans we support.
“Every year we recognise the achievements of veterans like Vivian who have really demonstrated the values we hold as a charity. Vivian, along with the other nominees and winners, are the shining examples of all that can be done to achieve victory over blindness.”
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. Since 1915, the charity has provided rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to tens of thousands of blind veterans.
Blind Veterans UK currently supports more blind veterans than ever before in the charity’s history, but it knows there are many more who still need its support to rebuild their lives following their sight loss.
Notes to Editor:
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. Since 1915, we’ve provided rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to tens of thousands of blind veterans.
Find out more at: blindveterans.org.uk and follow us on Facebook at: facebook.com/blindveteransuk and on Twitter at: twitter.com/blindveterans.
For all media enquiries please contact:
Laura Weir
PR & Communications Executive
T: 020 7616 7955
E: laura.weir@blindveterans.org.uk
W: blindveterans.org.uk
