Veteran Receives Surprise Gift As He Leaves Isolation For First Time In 10 Months

A blind veteran left his house for the first time in 10 months and received a surprise birthday present. 

Jim Sheratt was presented with a refurbished bench that had been dedicated to his late wife Ivy, who passed away in 2011.

The bench had deteriorated after being exposed to the elements on Llandudno Pier for several years.

On his 88th birthday, Blind Veterans UK surprised Jim with the restored bench, as they reopened the doors to their Llandudno centre for the first time since March.

Mr Sheratt has been isolating since November, due to his health conditions and then the coronavirus lockdown.

Speaking about the testing time, he said that Blind Veterans UK had been "absolutely fantastic".

“I had a call every Thursday with five or six other blind veterans in my area which I always looked forward to. We heard what we’d all been up to during lockdown and had a great laugh together.

“I’ve been looking forward for months to coming back here. It’s feels great to be back in this amazing place with such caring staff.”

Mr Sherratt joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps for National Service in 1952 and served in the UK, mainly as an armourer, until discharge as a Private in 1954.

He lost his sight later in life due to diabetic maculopathy and has been receiving assistance from Blind Veterans UK since 2014.

Cover Image: PA Images