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Blind Veteran Leads Military Charity After 20 Years Support
10 Jun
Summary
- Blind veteran Alan Holderness appointed president of Blind Veterans UK.
- He joined Royal Marines at 16, later medically discharged due to sight loss.
- The charity has provided life-changing support for 20 years.

Alan Holderness, a 61-year-old blind veteran from Blackburn, Lancashire, has been named the new president of Blind Veterans UK. This appointment marks a significant milestone, as the charity has been instrumental in supporting him for the past 20 years. Holderness's journey began when he joined the Royal Marines at 16, but his military career was cut short at 22 due to progressive sight loss.
Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, Holderness was registered blind in 1996, facing an uncertain future. However, Blind Veterans UK stepped in to provide crucial support in 2006, restoring his sense of belonging and purpose. As a business owner and serving magistrate, Holderness is now eager to advocate for the organization, ensuring more veterans receive the life-changing assistance they deserve.