Comrades hand over new banner at special service

Members of an activity hub for visually-impaired veterans have been presented with their very own flag.

The Royal British Legion Scotland Paisley Comrades Branch offered to produce a standard for Scottish War Blinded Hawkhead Centre, after being invited to attend their Remembrance Day service.

This week, the flag was presented to the members and blessed in a special service led by Reverend Robert Craig at the centre in Hawkhead Road.

Centre manager Sally Ross said: “It means a lot to our members to have their own standard that we can fly on Remembrance Day and any other ceremonies we hold.

“We are very grateful to our local branch of the British Legion for their generous offer to produce the flag. We are very proud to be represented by our standard.”

The idea to produce the standard came from George Gaughan, chairman of the Royal British Legion Scotland Paisley Comrades Branch.

Mr Gaughan said: “I am over the moon to be able to present this standard on behalf of the British Legion.

“I was first introduced to Scottish War Blinded in November 2017 and I spoke with Sally.

“I believed they deserved their own standard to have as a representation for future events. I really wanted to complete this by the end of March as I am retiring from the British Legion after eight years of serving on their board, so I’m glad we got it done just in time and I think the veterans here are too.”

The service was led by Reverend Robert Craig who blessed the standard to be a symbol of unity and friendship to those who assemble in the name it bears.

Abbi McGeachy of West Scotland Collage piped the veterans into the service while Scottish War Blinded member Ronnie Scobie carried the standard.

“Bearing the standard today meant a great deal to me – it was some experience,” Mr Scobie said.

“I previously was a standard bearer for the Royal Engineers Association.

“Scottish War Blinded have been a great support to me so I felt very privileged to have been asked to bear the standard.”

The Hawkhead Centre is run by charity Scottish War Blinded, which supports visually impaired ex-servicemen and women across Scotland – no matter how they lost their sight.

The activity hub opened in October last year and supports around 120 veterans from Paisley and the surrounding areas.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Scottish War Blinded’s a c t i v i t i e s and support, call free today on 0800 035 6409 or visit www. scottishwarblinded.org for more information.