Blind Cannock veteran walking laps of garden for charity
A blind veteran from Cannock is walking 100 laps a day around his garden to raise funds for the charity which helped him when he lost his sight.
Bob Grocutt undertook the challenge for Blind Veterans UK when he heard about Captain Tom Moore’s fundraising efforts.
The 75-year-old said: “I decided to do the 100 laps because I was inspired by Captain Tom.
"I thought, 'He’s doing well maybe I could do that!' I wanted to do something to help Blind Veterans UK as they have supported me for nearly five years. I can walk with up and down my garden thanks to the white cane that they have given me."
Bob served in the Army for nine years in the Cheshire Regiment and was discharged as a corporal in 1972. He lost his sight, many years after his service, suddenly due to a tumour on his pituitary gland.
Bob found Blind Veterans UK and has been supported by the charity since 2015.
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He added: “The charity have been marvellous to me. They trained me to walk with a cane and they were so patient – it’s thanks to them really that I’m able to safely walk up and down my garden!
"They really need the funds at the moment with everything that’s going on in the world and they do a fantastic job."
Bob started his challenge on April 20 and has no plans to stop just yet.
He said: “I will keep going 100 laps a day for as long people want me to keep doing it! It’s important to me to raise as much money as I can for the charity so I will keep going."
To support Bob and help him raise money for Blind Veterans UK, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/grandads-wall-in-the-garden
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic Blind Veterans UK has adapted its service to support its 5,000 beneficiaries, 90 per cent of whom are over 70 and being advised by the Government to self-isolate. The National Support Service will help blind veterans through this period of social isolation.
Nicky Shaw, Blind Veterans UK director of operations, said: “Having to self-isolate, blind veterans need our help right now with daily tasks, such as the shopping, and constant emotional support through this difficult time. So we are temporarily changing our service and mobilising our staff to provide practical, essential support to help the most vulnerable.
“There is so much that we can and must do to support blind veterans to help them maintain physical and emotional wellbeing, and to feel safe, reassured and cared for during this crisis.”
You can keep updated on Blind Veterans UK’s response to Covid-19 at blindveterans.org.uk/coronavirus where you can also find out more about supporting the charity to make this new service possible.
