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Remembrance in Rustington and Brighton

Published on 14 Nov 2023

Our blind veterans joined the local community in Rustington to take part in the town's Remembrance parade.

We relocated our south coast Centre of Wellbeing to Rustington from Ovingdean earlier this year and we've been busy settling our permanent residents and recruiting new staff.

Two of the centre’s residents, 102-year-old Nancy and 100-year old Ken joined local blind veteran Jim, 82, in laying wreaths during the town’s Remembrance Service on Sunday 12 November. Nancy and Jim were supported by staff members on the day and Ken was joined by his son.

Blind veteran Alan Walker, who is also from West Sussex, carried our Standard.

Ken in his beret and holding a poppy wreath
Blind veteran Ken with wreath
Alan holding the Blind Veterans UK Standard and walking beside blind veteran Jim
Blind veterans Alan and Jim at the Rustington Remembrance Parade
Ken and Nancy at the Rustington War Memorial, Nancy is being helped from her wheelchair by staff member.
Blind veteran Nancy being helped from her wheelchair to lay a wreath

Those residents who were unable to take part in the service at Rustington War Memorial were able to partake in Remembrance at the centre during a service led by Padre George.

On Armistice Day staff laid a wreath and marked the two-minute silence at the St Dunston’s Cemetery in Brighton.

Community Engagement Lead for the Rustington Centre, Jo, said:

“Taking part in the Remembrance event in Rustington was an honour, not only due to the importance of the occasion but also as our first opportunity to join the local community. We received a lovely warm welcome and our blind veterans were invited to lead the parade.

“Meanwhile, we continue to take care of the St Dunston’s Cemetery and it is still very much in our minds and was important that we marked Remembrance at the site.”
Tony is being assisted to place his wreath at the base of the War Memorial
Blind veteran Tony laying a wreath at Brighton Train Station
Group of eight blind veterans to the side of the War Memorial at Brighton Train Station
Our blind veterans at Brighton Train Station
Blind veterans, police officers, RAF veterans and Air cadets who were among those who took part in the parade are stood inside the train station ahead of two minute silence
Blind veterans join the parade at Brighton Train Station

A group of blind veterans, alongside members of staff and volunteers, also marked Remembrance at Brighton Train Station. A two-minute silence, during which the trains were stopped, was held and wreaths were laid at the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway War Memorial.

Blind veteran Tony, who served with the RAF Police, said:

“Having the opportunity to lay a wreath and to be part of Remembrance Day events is a wonderful thing. I laid the wreath on behalf of Blind Veterans UK which was an honour. It’s an honour every year that I stand and remember the fallen."
“Those who fought for our freedom must never be forgotten, they gave their lives so we can be who we are today. It’s about remembering so many people including my father who fought in the First World War and fellow veterans who are no longer with us but were like brothers to me.”
Tony
Blind veteran

The wreaths laid by blind veterans in both Rustington and Brighton had been gifted as part of the charity’s ‘Gift a Wreath’ campaign.

Thea Pharmaceuticals and interior designers HomeSmiths, who have recently assisted in the refurbishment of our Centre in Rustington, gifted the wreaths that were laid.

Would you like to join us in ensuring our veterans can take part in our 2014 'Gift a Wreath' campaign and continue to receive life changing support? Find out more, or register your interest.

Visit our Gift a Wreath page