Six Army Recruitment Offices took part in a hiking relay around Wales in support of military charities including Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
The challenge, named ‘Exercise Welsh Walker’ saw each team assigned a week in which to tackle a 100-mile section of the Welsh coast. The first team set off from Cardiff and the final team crossed the finish line in Swansea on 17 July to mark the end of the six-week challenge.
The walkers did a fantastic job of raising awareness of the wide variety of opportunities available from a career in the Army but, not only that, they also raised an incredible amount of money for their chosen military charities.
The Wrexham and Bangor Army Careers Offices chose to raise money in support of Blind Veterans UK and between them have raised nearly £500.
Taking on their leg of the walk back in June, the Wrexham team started in Brecon and finished just north of Welshpool.
Sergeant Adrian Lobley from the Wrexham Army Careers Office says:
“Some of the miles we walked were on pretty tough terrain such as the Black Mountain range but we were very lucky with the weather and it was definitely good to get out of the office and spend some time walking through scenic parts of Wales as this is something that I would never normally do.
“Blind Veterans UK is a fantastic charity that has offered some amazing support to both of my parents so I’m very happy to have been able to raise money to support them.
“My dad is a blind veteran. He served for 35 years in the Royal Air Force as a gunner being based in Aden, Cyprus, Germany, Falklands, Northern Ireland and Belieze. He lost his sight later in life due to macular degeneration.
“He began receiving support from Blind Veterans UK last year and has already enjoyed a stay at the charity’s centre in Llandudno which was not only fantastic for him but also gave me mum a break. I was privileged to also spend some time at the centre and was able to speak to the veterans and their partners and it was apparent to me that the support offered by Blind Veterans UK had made a tangible difference to their quality of life.
“Dad has also been supplied with a special computer keyboard and computer software so that he is still able to use his computer, magnifying aids, a liquid level indicator to help him when making his coffee, training in using a white cane and sunglasses. He has an assigned support worker who he can contact if he needs help and attends a bi-monthly coffee morning.
“I can see first-hand how the charity helps and I hope that with our support many more veterans can receive the support that my dad gets.”
If you are part of a group and would like to find out more about how you could organise your own challenge or be part of campaigns such as Gift a Wreath or Planning to Remember in support of Blind Veterans UK, please visit our website: blindveterans.org.uk/fundraise
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/gethelp
