Blind veteran honoured to lay wreath at Cenotaph

Kelly Ganfield lost her sight at the age of 23 following a stroke

A Wilshire woman says it is a "huge privilege" to be chosen to be the first blind veteran, accompanied by a guide dog, to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.

Kelly Ganfield, 45, from Trowbridge, will march in London on Remembrance Sunday with her guide dog Archie, an eight-year-old golden Labrador cross retriever.

Ms Ganfield will lay a wreath on behalf of Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-service personnel.

She said the charity had saved her life: "I owe them a great deal. They took me in after I lost my sight and have taken care of me ever since."

Ms Ganfield joined the Army in 1998 and served with the Adjutant Generals Corp but suffered a stroke at the age of 23 – resulting in the loss of her sight and career.

In 2006, she began receiving support from Blind Veterans UK and will now lead a contingent of 40 other blind veterans supported by the charity on Sunday.

Ms Ganfield will lead a contingent of 40 other blind veterans on Sunday

She said it was an "absolute honour" to be selected.

"Leading the contingent and laying the wreath on behalf of Blind Veterans UK is a huge privilege.

"I've met so many inspirational people, both my fellow blind veterans and staff who have shaped my life.

"I am so proud to be a blind veteran and I wouldn't be who I am today if I wasn't. It means a great deal to remember them."

About 10,000 veterans and participants take part in the Cenotaph parade each year.

Adrian Bell, chief executive of the charity, said: "Kelly is the first blind veteran to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph alongside a guide dog.

"Her and Archie should be rightly proud that they're the first and Kelly is a fantastic ambassador for both Blind Veterans UK and Guide Dogs."