A COVINGHAM ex-serviceman celebrated the centenary of a charity that gave him a new lease of life and independence as a blind veteran last month.

John Glynn, of Tealsbrook, attended a reunion dinner at Mercure Swindon South Marston Hotel on April 30, where Blind Veterans UK marked its 100th birthday.

John carried out his national service in Germany from 1948 to 1950 before joining the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1952.

He served in Kure Hospital in Japan during the Korean War and in Kuala Lumpur in Malaya.

He left the service as a staff sergeant in 1961. John joined fellow veterans with his wife Eileen at the special lunch last month.

John has received vital help and support from Blind Veterans UK since 2008. He lost his sight due to chronic glaucoma and was put in touch with the charity through the Wiltshire Association for the Blind.

He volunteers at an eye clinic in Great Western Hospital where he has been able to continue because of the support he has received. “When you lose your sight and have to come to terms with not being able to do things like gardening or DIY,” said the 84-year-old. “It’s a real blow to your independence. Communicating with people also became very difficult.”

The father-of-three and grandfather-of-seven has had training in IT to allow him to continue to communicate with friends and family as well as carry on with his love of music, singing in two local choirs.

“I’m so pleased I was put in touch with Blind Veterans UK,” he said. “They have helped me keep my independence. I’ve booked in to visit the charity’s centre in Llandudno for music week and I can’t wait.”

John and Eileen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April and were surprised with flowers from Blind Veterans UK as well as a special card from the charity’s patron, the Queen.

“This reunion was particularly special for my wife and me having just celebrated our 60th anniversary, but it’s also the 100th anniversary of Blind Veterans UK so everyone had something to celebrate,” he said.

Blind Veterans UK, formerly St Dunstan’s, was founded in 1915 and has gone on to support more than 35,000 blind veterans and their families. It is reaching out to more veterans like John.

If you know someone who served in the armed forces, or those who did national service, and is battling severe sight problems, Blind Veterans UK may be able to provide support.

Call 0800 389 7979 or visit noonealone.org.uk