Charity gives blind veteran Phyl back her Christmas cheer

A blind World War II veteran has praised the charity that helped her rediscover her love of Christmas.

Phyl Pipe, 91, from Stowmarket, will spend Christmas at Blind Veterans UK’s Brighton centre after the charity has provided free support in her battle against sight loss.

Phyl said: “Before finding out about Blind Veterans UK, I didn’t really enjoy Christmas – I hadn’t celebrated it since my husband died. But now, it’s all changed and I’m so looking forward to it this year.”

She joined the Army in 1942 as a Morse operator intercepting German messages.

Phyl said: “We spent hours at a time writing down Morse code at tremendous speed – it was rather stressful at times, but it was an important job.”

But 30 years after leaving Atmy, Phyl suffered a brain haemorrhage which affected the sight in her left eye then, years later, she was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in the other eye.

Because of her Service history, Phyl was eligible for support from national military charity, Blind Veterans UK. Since 2012, she has been receiving vital equipment, training and emotional support to help her adjust to life with sight loss.

Visit www.noonealone.org.uk or call 0800 389 7979.