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GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF WINNER JOINS BLIND VETERANS FOR A SPECIAL TEA PARTY ON ‘BLUE MONDAY’
THE winner of The Great British Bake Off, surprised blind veterans, including Alan Lance from Hillingdon with a cake and video message at a tea party hosted by a national military charity on ‘Blue Monday’.
Sophie Faldo, recent winner of the hit TV contest, joined the social event was organised by Blind Veterans UK at its London office to give beneficiaries a smile on a day hailed as ‘the most depressing of the year’.
Sophie, a former officer in the Royal Artillery and now a Reservist, baked a fondant cake for the event and recorded a video message for blind veterans in which she spoke of her own time in the Army.
Sophie says: “It was a pleasure to bake a cake for blind veterans to enjoy together on ‘Blue Monday’. Serving in the Army myself, I know how important it is to have the support of your peers and that feeling of camaraderie that comes from being together in the Armed Forces.”
She continues: “It’s fantastic to see the impact of social events such as this one. Blind Veterans UK offers a lifeline to vision-impaired veterans and today is all about helping them enjoy good company, and, of course, delicious cake!”
The tea party forms part of a programme of social events organised by Blind Veterans UK for its beneficiaries, such as lunch clubs and reunions, which offer veterans a chance to get together with their fellow comrades.
Blind Veterans UK has conducted research into veterans’ social isolation which highlights the importance of these social events. The survey conducted by the charity found that 61 per cent of older veterans said that they had become increasingly isolated following their diagnosis of sight loss. After receiving the charity’s support, 86 per cent of respondents said that it had helped them to feel less isolated.
Matthew Athey, community team leader at the charity says: “Our veterans often tell us that losing their sight made them feel more isolated. Events like these are a valuable opportunity for ex-Service men and women to get out and about, make new friends, and share in that special Forces spirit again. We’re so pleased that Sophie could lend a hand in bringing some cheer this ‘Blue Monday!”
Alan Lance, 82, from Ickenham, attended the tea party with his wife Lorraine. Alan was called up for National Service in 1953 and joined the Army Catering Corps. He was stationed in Egypt’s Suez Canal Zone and demobbed in 1955. Alan lost his sight later in life due to age-related macular degeneration and joined Blind Veterans UK in 2014.
Alan says: “I didn’t initially realise that I was eligible for the support of Blind Veterans UK, but my wife read an article about the charity and told me to get in touch. I’m glad I did because the support for both of us has been wonderful!”
He continues: “We had a lovely afternoon at the tea party and enjoyed good company, delicious cake, and even some fizz! I used to be shy about going to social events but Blind Veterans UK certainly put a smile on both our faces.”
Blind Veterans UK is the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, providing vital practical and emotional support to help veterans discover life beyond sight loss.
Blind Veterans UK estimates that there are 59,000 ex-Service men and women battling severe sight loss who could be eligible for support but do not realise it. It doesn’t matter when or how a veteran lost their sight, or when they served. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk for advice.