Thank you for gifting a wreath

Blind veterans have laid over fifty wreaths in their own communities, or at our centres, to mark Remembrance this year which was made possible by individuals and organisations who took part in our 'Gift a Wreath' campaign.

Remembrance is a special time for veterans, their families and those in active service. It's a time to come together and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Each year we support blind veterans in making the journey to march past the Cenotaph in London, but we also recognise that many veterans choose to mark the important occasion by taking part in events close to home surrounded by loved ones and fellow veterans.

Wreaths are provided to these veterans so they too can play an active part in Remembrance. 

The money raised by our 'Gift a Wreath' campaign not only helps us to provide these veterans with a wreath but also ensures our ongoing support to blind veterans in their communities.

Thea Pharmaceuticals, Llandudno funeral directors Tom Owen and Son, Anglesey hotel Chateau Rhianfa, HomeSmiths interior designers and a number of individuals gifted 14 wreaths this year that were laid by veterans around the country.

Employees from Thea Pharmaceuticals laid additional wreaths on behalf of our charity.

Some of the veterans who laid wreaths have told us why it's important to them:

Blind veteran Clive laid a wreath in Market Drayton

Clive served in the British Army and was blinded 23 years ago while serving. He has been supported by Blind Veterans UK since 2001. He says:

“I lay a wreath every year as a mark of respect to those who I once knew and to those who I didn’t. The sacrifice given by all Service men and women should never be forgotten. It’s so important to remember and also to educate those who don’t fully understand why wreaths are laid.

“When laying the wreath, I think of all my friends and colleagues whom I’ve lost over the years. When I close my eyes and bow my head, I always think of my Great Uncle Richard, I wear his medals on my right side; he was special to me and we are the only members of my family to have served.

“I am so grateful to those who make it possible for myself and my fellow blind veterans to lay a wreath.”

Second World War veteran Nancy

103-year-old blind veteran Nancy joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in February 1942. She was selected for Officer Cadet Training and commissioned in August 1943 and was then stationed at a gun site in Swansea until the end of the war.

Nancy now resides at our Rustington Centre. Nancy put on her medals and laid a wreath as part of the Remembrance Sunday service at the centre. The wreath Nancy laid was gifted by an individual who wanted to play her part in supporting our veterans. Nancy said:

“It’s important to me that as long as there is breath in my body, I will go to a war memorial, to a service of Remembrance, and I will lay a wreath.”

Blind veteran Colin laid a wreath in Horwich

Colin served in the Royal Navy for 11 years. He laid a wreath at the Horwich War Memorial. He says:

"It means so much to me to have had the opportunity to lay a wreath in my local community again this year. I also had the honour of reciting the Kohima Epitaph - When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today.

"I lay a wreath in hour of all the veterans around me who have sacrificed so much.

"My grandad served in the Second World War and Remembrance is a reminder to us all of past conflicts and what has been achieved by those who fought in them. I wear my grandad's medals alongside my own as a sign of respect."

Howell laid a wreath in Porthcawl

Howell served in the Royal Ordnance Corp for six years and then joined the Territorial Army for a further 13 years. He says:

"For me Remembrance is our opportunity to show respect for what people have gone through to give us what we have today. Laying a wreath is extremely humbling.

"At the war memorial in Porthcawl is the name of my wife's uncle who was killed at the D-Day landings. I think of what they went through and hope it doesn't happen again."