A blind veteran from Bolton has thanked businesses for gifting wreaths this Remembrance.

Colin Adamson, 49, from Horwich, is thanking those who supported Blind Veterans UK’s Gift a Wreath campaign this Remembrance which enabled him to lay a wreath at the Horwich War Memorial during the town’s service on Sunday November 12.

Colin Adamson served in the Royal Navy as a chef for 11 years; during that time, he received his Kosovo and Northern Ireland medals.

He said: “It means so much to me to have laid a wreath in my local community this Remembrance and I’d like to thank the businesses that made this possible. I am honouring 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.”

Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, supports blind veterans each year to make the journey to London and march past the Cenotaph but recognises that many veterans choose to mark the occasion closer to home surrounded by loved ones and fellow veterans in their community.

The charity invited local groups, businesses, and organisations to ‘Gift a Wreath’ to be laid by its blind veterans so they could take an active role in Remembrance at local events around the country.

Not only that but the money raised ensures ongoing support to blind veterans in those communities.

Blind Veterans UK President, Colin Williamson said: “Many of our veterans are unable to make the journey to the Cenotaph in London or would prefer to be surrounded by loved ones and veterans in their own community.

“This is why making wreaths available so more of our veterans can take an active part in Remembrance is so important.”

If you would like to ‘Gift a Wreath’ and help veterans like Colin to take part in Remembrance next year, visit Blind Veterans UK’s website: blindveterans.org.uk/giftawreath

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