Charity supports more ex-Service people than ever before

More than 870 new blind and vision impaired ex-Service men and women in the UK will receive support from Blind Veterans UK, the national charity has highlighted.

According to figures released by Blind Veterans UK on Friday (1 April), more veterans came forward to take advantage of the support and specialist services that it offers during the 2015–16 financial year than ever before.

Crediting its No One Alone campaign in helping to raise its profile highlighting the support and services that it has offered for more than 100 years, Blind Veterans UK has supported 875 additional blind and vision-impaired veterans over the stated 12-month period.

Launched in 2012, the No One Alone campaign was established to increase awareness of the charity among vision impaired Armed Forces and National Service veterans, and their families.

During the 2015–16 financial year the charity used the campaign to highlight its services by advertising in a number of consumer magazines, as well as through TV, radio and online activities. It has also been calling on eye care practitioners to speak to and signpost suitable patients to the charity.

Chief executive of Blind Veterans UK, major general Nick Caplin CB, said: "As we enter our second century of service, we are extremely pleased to announce that an extra 875 blind and vision impaired ex-Service men and women in the UK are now starting to receive the vital support and services they need and deserve to help them overcome the challenges of blindness and discover a life beyond sight loss."