Ex-Marine's pride at sight-loss charity honour

A blind veteran said it was "a huge honour" to be named the new president of a military charity that has supported him for 20 years.

Alan Holderness, from Blackburn in Lancashire, has been appointed as the new president of Blind Veterans UK.

The 61-year-old joined the Royal Marines straight from school at the age of 16 in 1980 but began losing his sight two years later.

He was medically discharged at the age of 22 and for a time felt his future was "very uncertain" - but he said the charity's support has since made him feel "like being part of the services once more, surrounded by people who understand".

Alan, a business owner and serving magistrate, said: "The charity has been there for me through some of the most challenging times in my life, and I am proud to represent an organisation that provides life-changing support to so many veterans.

"I want to help ensure that more veterans know that they are not alone, and that support is there whenever they are ready to reach out."

He said: "It wasn't my intention to join the Marines at all. I was planning to do my A Levels and study to be a doctor or a biochemist.

"One of my friends wanted to join the Army, so I went down to the recruiting station with him.

"While he was signing up, I went for a wander to the Navy recruiting station. The recruiting sergeant asked if I wanted to be a Marine and I said, 'No, not really'.

"However, by the time I left, he'd managed to convince me."

Alan joined 40 Commando as a chef, training at Lympstone before being posted to the Falklands.

During his service, Alan began to experience problems with his eyesight and was later diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa.

"I was told I'd eventually go blind and there was nothing that could be done, it was absolutely devastating," he said.

Alan was registered blind in 1996 and now has only a small amount of central vision remaining.

He began receiving support from Blind Veterans UK in 2006 and has since become a passionate advocate for the charity and its work.

"My sight loss has had a massive impact, it's restrictive and limits my independence," he said.

"But Blind Veterans UK has given me a sense of belonging again."

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