Please note that as of October 2020, we now operate as Sight Scotland Veterans. Our former name, Scottish War Blinded will appear in content, such as reports, produced before that date.
Veterans with vision impairment who attend Scottish War Blinded’s Paisley and West Lothian activity hubs met at Cumbernauld Bowling Club on Thursday, August 8, for a hotly contested outdoor bowls match.
There were impressive shots from veterans representing the Hawkhead Centre (Paisley) and Linburn Centre (West Lothian) – with team Hawkhead eventually claiming this year’s trophy.
The veterans, who all live with a vision impairment, attend the charity’s activity hubs on a regular basis. Bowls for veterans with sight loss is offered at both of the centres and proves a popular activity as a sport that can be easily adapted.
And the blend of friendly sporting rivalry and an opportunity to socialise with fellow veterans with sight loss from other parts of the country proved to be a big hit.
One of the members of the Hawkhead team, Jim Stevenson, aged 71 from Cumbernauld, who has macular degeneration and regularly attends the Hawkhead Centre, said: “I am a member of Cumbernauld Bowling Club so it was great to be able to invite Scottish War Blinded members here for the competition.
“The competition went very well. It’s good for the centres to come together to play. I think everyone had a good day out and enjoyed themselves.”
Bill Robertson, aged 83 from Paisley, who also attends the Hawkhead Centre, added: “It’s been great meeting members who I wouldn’t normally get to see. Today has been the first time I’ve taken part in the competition and I’ve had a great time.”
Member of the Linburn team, Bill Stevens, aged 82 from Dunfermline, who has macular degeneration, said: “It was a shame Linburn lost out on the trophy but I’ve still really enjoyed myself and the sunshine has been wonderful.”
Scottish War Blinded gives free support to former servicemen and women of all ages, no matter if they lost their sight during or after service.
Visit www.scottishwarblinded.org or call 0800 035 6409 to refer a veteran to the charity.