Blind vet Mavis, 91, marches on capital
A BLIND veteran took part in Remembrance Day commemorations by marching to the Cenotaph in London.
Mavis Linfoot, 91, from Macclesfield, was able to travel down to the capital and take part with charity Blind Veterans UK.
She was around 100 who ex-servicemen and women who were there to pay their respects.
Mavis joined the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps in 1957 and was stationed originally in Aldershot and then in Germany where she was a nurse and a midwife.
After she was discharged from service in 1961 she continued nursing and specialised in supporting women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Mavis lost her sight much later in life due to age-related macular degeneration.
“When I marched I was thinking about my time in the Army and all the people that gave their lives for our country, she said.
“I started to lose my sight about eight years ago. It gradually worsened and now it’s very poor.
“It was terrible when I lost it because I could no longer drive. I was a keen driver so losing my license was hard.
“The charity have given me so much opportunity. I go on day trips that they organise and I attend the lunch club in my area. Everyone is so friendly and I’ve made friendships now with the other members.”
Retired Major General Nick Caplin, from Blind Veterans UK, said: “Mavis was rightly proud to march with our blind veterans this Remembrance Sunday.
“This is the time of year when we reflect on the sacrifice and service of all our members of the Armed Forces and their families. I would encourage anyone who thinks they know someone who could be entitled to our support to get in touch today.”
For more information visit blindveterans.org. uk to learn more about the charity and how you can support its vital work today.