Pembrokeshire blind veteran, 84, to spend Christmas with 30 fellow ex‑Service men and women after facing festive season alone

Chris Raine, 84, from Haverfordwest, will be heading to Blind Veterans UK’s rehabilitation centre in Rustington after realising he would otherwise be alone, with his closest relatives living hundreds of miles away in Yorkshire and Scotland.

“I’ve packed all my Christmas jumpers”

Chris says he can’t wait to join other blind veterans for a week of company, activities and festive fun.

“It’s lovely to be spending Christmas in Rustington,” he said. “I’ve got all of my Christmas jumpers and shirts packed. It’s really nice to spend Christmas with other blind veterans, and I’m especially looking forward to catching up with a good friend of mine, 90‑year‑old Colin from Milford Haven.”

The veterans will enjoy Christmas films, crafts, a trip to the panto, a traditional lunch with all the trimmings and even a festive quiz.

A lifetime of service — and a sudden loss of sight

Chris joined the RAF in 1957 and spent nearly 40 years serving around the world as a radio radar technician. His sight loss came suddenly, after he noticed worrying changes to his vision while driving. An optician quickly diagnosed wet macular degeneration.

“At the first appointment they told me I would no longer be able to drive,” he said. “It was upsetting, but I knew it was the safest thing for me and other people.”

Support that changed everything

Chris discovered Blind Veterans UK in 2019 and says the charity transformed his independence.

“When I first got in touch, I went for a welcome week and found out about the support I could get, including an iPad and training to use it,” he said.

Covid meant the training had to be done remotely, but Chris says the device has become a lifeline.

“I don’t have to see anything. I just talk to it and put my finger on it and it tells me where I am and what I’m doing. I can read library books, check emails and much more. It’s marvellous.”

“No one should feel alone at Christmas”

Kellie Darcy‑Pattenden, Centre Manager at Rustington, said the charity works hard to make Christmas special for veterans who might otherwise be isolated.

“Christmas can be a difficult time for those who might be on their own,” she said. “Our centre becomes a home away from home, full of festive cheer, companionship and a chance to indulge a little. Most importantly, it’s about being surrounded by people who understand and share the same experiences.”

A message to other veterans

Chris hopes others living with sight loss will reach out for help.

“If any veterans have been given a sight loss diagnosis, they should definitely get in touch with Blind Veterans UK,” he said. “Having a network of other blind veterans to meet and talk to is more beneficial than anything. It makes a real difference.”

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Richard Pelzer, 100-years-old and from Fforestfach, is the star of an appeal going out to Blind Veterans UK supporters across the country by post and email.

The charity’s campaign aims to emphasise the importance of Remembrance and recognise the sacrifice of all of those who have served. Within the campaign, the charity has captured Richard’s vital role in constructing the Mulberry Harbours, which were so key in the success of the D-Day mission.

Richard was just 19-years-old when he enlisted and went off to war with the Royal Engineers. Not seeing home for five whole years, he spent seven months constructing the British Mulberry Harbour before crossing to France and installing it. At the time Richard had no idea what it was for or how important it was to be.

He says: “They didn’t tell us anything at all, we just got on with it. Got on with it from dawn till dusk.”

The Mulberry Harbours played a vital role on D-Day, allowing Allied troops to refuel and regroup. A qualified stonemason, Richard retrained as a diver, so he could secure the harbour’s moorings.

He says: “I saw terrible things and lost friends and colleagues. One was killed right next to me, as we cleared the beach of mines.”

Richard’s dedication and commitment to his country shine through when he speaks of the success of D-Day.

He says: “The fruits of it were when I came out and saw a better country, a better world for the younger generation. I pray that they won’t go through what I went through.”

Richard lost his sight much later in life to macular degeneration. Luckily he found out about Blind Veterans UK and the charity has been supporting him ever since.

He says: “Before I found out about Blind Veterans UK, I felt forgotten by everyone except my daughter. But after meeting my support worker some simple pieces of equipment changed everything.

“I now have a machine to play music and talking books on. It’s so fantastic that one evening, I felt a bit cold and realised I was still listening at 2 o’clock in the morning! They also gave me a scanner to read my own post now too – before my daughter used to read everything to me.

“I feel honoured and proud to be a part of this campaign and to give back to a wonderful charity that has helped me so much. If this campaign can help raise money so more blind veterans can get the help and support I’ve had, I would be very happy indeed.”

On Remembrance, Richard says: “It’s so important for us to remember. And not to glorify war. I’ll be remembering all those who gave their lives for our freedom.”

Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK, Adrian Bell says:

“During Remembrance, we honour the courageous sacrifice of all those who gave their lives for their country. We also acknowledge the significant challenges faced by veterans living with life-altering injuries from their service.

“This year marks important anniversaries for our veterans, not least the 80th anniversaries of key battles that turned the tide of the Second World War and 25 years since Kosovo. With these in mind, we will be particularly thinking of all those tragically lost and wounded in these conflicts, and of their families.”

Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans like Richard, 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/apply

[Lead image: Blind Veterans UK]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/11/07/swansea-d-day-veteran-stars-in-charitys-remembrance-campaign/

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