Face to Face with a Spitfire

Mick Seed, an Independent Living Worker with Sight Scotland Veterans, recently attended the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum Airborne Forces Day and came face to face with the Loch Doon Spitfire. 

Sadly, the Spitfire crashed in Loch Doon during a low-level training flight in October 1941 and the pilot has never been found. The Spitfire was recovered in 1982 after almost 6 years of searching and 567 separate dives to locate it and was taken to the museum. It took many years to reconstruct it and it is now proudly displayed for all to see.

“The event was blessed with good weather and thoroughly enjoyed by all those attending – young and old," explained Mick. “Our information stall was in the Loch Doon Spitfire hangar which attracted lots of interest from those keen to see an aircraft that took part in the Battle of Britain.”

The Independent Living Team actively engages in a wide range of awareness-raising and networking activities with various external organisations and agencies. These efforts ensure we reach as many veterans as possible, including those who may want to refer a veteran to us, whether they are family, friends, or professionals.

Our activities include:

• Collaborating with other vision impairment organisations like RNIB Scotland, Health and Social Care Partnerships, and Eye Clinic Liaison Officers.
• Participating in Armed Forces-related events such as Armed Forces Days, museum events, and open days.
• Attending conferences like the Community Link Workers Conference and the Scottish Optical Conference in Glasgow.
• Joining VisionZone events and those hosted by commercial companies like Optelec, which provide equipment for people with vision loss.
• Giving talks at Veterans Breakfast Clubs, Rotary and Probus Clubs, Senior Citizens’ Clubs, and to Health and Social Work professionals.
• Distributing leaflets at appropriate venues while out in the community.

"We are always working to raise awareness of our excellent services for veterans and their families. We know that many veterans are still unaware of the support Sight Scotland Veterans can offer," said Mick.