Blind veteran 'blessed' to spend Christmas at charity centre

92-year-old Norman Roper said he was "so fortunate" to be spending Christmas at the centre

A blind veteran has said he feels "blessed" to be spending Christmas with other vision-impaired ex-service personnel at a charity wellbeing centre.

Norman Roper, 92, will be spending Christmas at Blind Veterans UK's Centre of Wellbeing.

He said he was "so fortunate" to be at the centre for the festive season, and not alone.

Mr Roper, from Witney, has lived on his own since his wife died five years ago.

He will be enjoying the holidays alongside staff and other blind veterans at the charity's new centre in Rustington.

Activities planned include Christmas wreath making, a pantomime evening, and reindeer racing.

Mr Roper said he was particularly looking forward to Christmas dinner

Christmas Day will then involve the traditional gift giving, and a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings.

Mr Roper, who served in the Royal Navy for nine years from 1954, said: "I'm particularly looking forward to Christmas dinner; I do all my own cooking at home and I'm a terrible chef."

He added: "Previously when I've stayed at the centre, I've treated my fellow veterans to my stand-up comedy, so maybe they will be in for a treat this Christmas. I love to make people laugh; laughter makes the world go round."

Jo Parker-Smith, Community Engagement Lead at the Rustington Centre, said: "We are really looking forward to welcoming a small group of blind veterans to Rustington for Christmas.

"The majority of those joining us would otherwise be alone for the festive period but now they will be surrounded by other blind veterans and staff."

She added that it will be a "very special year" for the charity as marks their first Christmas in the new centre.

Mr Roper, who went on to work for Oxfordshire Constabulary after leaving the Navy, said Blind Veterans UK had helped him "enormously" since he first began receiving support from the charity in 2014.